What is my problem?

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tacticop

Hello everybody!

I came back to chess.com after a long time. Now I am trying to get better.

I play long games, and I still feel like a beginner, looking at my ratings. I don't really study openings, since it's recommanded to follow opening principles at my rating. I know basic endgames and I improved my tactics rating a lot (went from about 1400 to almost 1900 in december). I started reading How to reassess your chess by Silman. I seem to understand enough things to get a higher rating, but I'm stuck.

I went to chessmaniacs to estimate my elo and it said 1820. However, I am way lower on the chess.com site.

I think I realize parts of the reason I don't get better, but I don't know what to do to improve and I come here to get some help from you beloved chess.com users.

THE POSSIBLE REASONS:

-Most of all, I am an absolute garbage when it comes to time pressure, including blitz and bullet games. I seem to need more time than others to think.

-I seem to always try to find a reason not to apply my knowledge or to not use it as an exception, as if I was at a stage I am good enough not to use it (obviously I am not), or as I misevaluate the position by thinking I am better not to apply it because of whatever reason.

-I don't really analyse my games, because I don't really know how to proceed for it to be useful as a learning process.

-I lack general strategy, should I say I don't know what to do in what order, when to prioritize defense, vs attack.

I'll try to add images of what I mean.

Thanks for the help

tacticop

Exemple,

 

what I assess from the position:

-I have a better control of the center

-I know that I have doubled pawns (which I know I should stay away from that if i'm following pawn structure general principles)but in this case, I voluntarely created that, with that diamond shape, to control the center, as I though it was a good idea, as well to develop my bishop.

-Equal material, I got 1 more pawn

-Possible outpost for my knight on d3, which would be powerful

-Possible outpost for the enemy N on f4 if I don't pay attention

-C file is open, which could be good for me because:

- WhiteKing is not safe, hasn't castled, mine neither (even though I still think it is safe regarding my opponent pieces and the absence of the queen)

- My rooks could be more active, (b and c file preferably)

-semi open B file, which I need to watch for a futur passed pawn

- My opponent bishop is pretty weak, blocked by his own pawn

-His N is weak too, but could be a nuisance for me (getting rid of my N on my outpost), and I am pretty sure that he will move it to e4 soon

 

Now, from what I see and what I know, I have many things I want to do, and I don't know what to start with:

- I could probably set up a powerful rooks attack, but he is about to castle and render it useless

-Put my knight on d3 outpost to prevent castling (however, if my opponent puts his on e4 right after, I need to eat it or retreat back to b4, which in the end won't prevent him from castling)

-I could do e5 before it to prevent his N, but it would allow him f4 and his outpost if I take, and would reduce the power of my N and destroy my powerful diamond pawn structure

-Exf3 would serve nothing as he'd take back and destroy my center again, and my possibility for an outpost.

- I want to prevent my opponent from taking my N with his bishop, because this will probably end with a pawnfull board ending on each side and a N is better with such a pawn control of the center.

 

So in this exemple, I don't really know how to plan an attack or the order of moves that I should follow. I just went with Nd3 and I'm waiting for a reply from my opponent.

 

And for an exemple of me beeing bad with time pressure, my daily chess rating is 1250, my rapid 1115, my blitz 526 and my bullet a shameful 399. I mean, isn't a total begginer supposed to be 600-800?

 

MarkGrubb

The agony of choice. Sometimes a clear objective target helps

MarkGrubb

sorry phone. A simple plan is whites pawn on b3. Its weak. See if you can pressure it with your rooks. So e5 to takeaway squares from your opponents knight, then bring the king up to e6 to support. Nd3 to give you a superior minor piece. Then double up rooks on the b file. The c file is open but you cant infiltrate because white is controlling the squares on their side with the king and minor pieces so b3 gives them a useful job. If you win b3 and have Nd3 then there is pressure on b2 which might allow infiltration to the 2nd rank.

MarkGrubb

Actually Kd6 might be better than Ke6. It supports the bishop, pawns and covers c file infiltration squares on blacks side.

tacticop

thank you for your ideas, I finally played a nd3 and a fork on f2, but I 'd still want to know what should I do do improve and resolve my problems.

JackRoach

Please do not poison your brain with blitz and bullet. Some people take longer to think, and blitz/bullet is the worst place to think.

tacticop

I mean, is it really that we take so much more time to think or we over complicate things or we don't focus on the right things? How can I be that much worse at rapid times?

Duckfest

I've taken a look at some of your recent Rapid (30m) games, just going over them quickly. My suggestion would be to play less aggressive. You seem to have a strong urge to attack, whenever there is an opportunity, instead of building a solid position. The common theme in your games: overextended pawns, early Queens, trading pieces whenever possible. Win the war, not the battle.

edit: In the game you posted as an example, move 6 is an example of unprovoked aggression. You have only 1 piece developed. Instead of developing a second piece, you attack with your only developed piece. 

Moonwarrior_1
Duckfest wrote:

I've taken a look at some of your recent Rapid (30m) games, just going over them quickly. My suggestion would be to play less aggressive. You seem to have a strong urge to attack, whenever there is an opportunity, instead of building a solid position. The common theme in your games: overextended pawns, early Queens, trading pieces whenever possible. Win the war, not the battle.

+1 most games for me I just focus on winning a single pawn. Granted you have to be ok the look out because at your level and mine people will blunder. Play safe and capitolize on others mistakes.

MarkGrubb

@duckfest and @moonwarrier +1.