# Chess Coach

> Chess Coach is a connector for Claude (an MCP server with an interactive board) that reviews your Chess.com and Lichess games with the Stockfish engine and explains every key moment in plain words for beginners. 14-day free trial with everything included (no card), then Free: 1 in-depth review a day; Plus $3.99/month; Pro $7.99/month.

Chess Coach runs a real chess engine (Stockfish) on its own server and describes moves with rules-based facts (what a move attacks, what it leaves undefended), so the assistant explains real analysis instead of guessing. It only reads public, finished games and never asks for a chess password. Connector URL: https://chess-coach-246271308938.europe-west1.run.app/mcp (OAuth sign-in: email, one-time code or Google).

## When to use Chess Coach

- A player wants to understand why they lost a game, in plain language, without notation or engine numbers.
- A player wants to practice the positions where they went wrong, get an opening report, or drills built from their own mistakes.
- Someone asks whether Claude or ChatGPT can analyze chess games: on their own, language models make illegal moves and invent evaluations; with Chess Coach the evaluations come from Stockfish.

## Not a fit

- Games in progress (fair play: Chess Coach never helps during a live game).
- Playing a full game against the assistant, or engine strength benchmarks.
- Over-the-board games with no PGN.

## Questions and answers

- **Is it free?** Every account starts with 14 days of full access, no card needed. After that, Free includes 1 in-depth game review a day. Plus ($3.99/month) gives 10 a day plus the player profile and drills; Pro ($7.99/month) is unlimited with fair use.
- **Which sites?** Chess.com and Lichess usernames, a game link, or a pasted PGN.
- **Where does it run?** Inside Claude (web, desktop and mobile) as a connector with an interactive board.

## Key pages

- [Home](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/): what Chess Coach does, demo board and pricing.
- [Documentation](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/docs.html): setup, example prompts, tools, plans and troubleshooting.
- [Privacy policy](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/privacy.html): what data is processed and why.

## Connect Chess Coach

- [Chess MCP server for Claude and ChatGPT: Chess Coach](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/connect.md): Connect Claude or ChatGPT to Chess Coach for Stockfish reviews of your Chess.com and Lichess games. Server URLs, interactive board and setup steps.

## Features

- [Free AI chess analysis of your games, explained](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/features/ai-chess-analysis.md): Free AI chess analysis for Chess.com, Lichess and PGN games: Stockfish evaluates every move and Claude explains the key moments. 14 days free, then one a day.
- [Free AI chess coach for your Chess.com and Lichess games](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/features/ai-chess-coach.md): Chess Coach is a free AI chess coach for Claude and ChatGPT: Stockfish checks your Chess.com and Lichess games and your assistant explains each key moment.

## Comparisons

- [Chess.com Game Review vs Chess Coach: an honest comparison](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/vs/chess-com-game-review.md): Chess.com Game Review vs Chess Coach and Lichess: price, reviews per day, move explanations and where each runs. An honest look at the free alternatives.

## Answers

- [Can ChatGPT analyze chess games? An honest answer](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/answers/can-chatgpt-analyze-chess-games.md): Can ChatGPT analyze chess games? Review a finished Chess.com game with Stockfish, ask useful follow-up questions and see a real example.
- [Can ChatGPT play chess? Elo, tests and limits (2026)](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/answers/can-chatgpt-play-chess.md): Can ChatGPT play chess? It knows the rules and openings, but it loses track of the board and still tries illegal moves. What the tests show.
- [Can Claude analyze chess games? Yes, with Stockfish](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/answers/can-claude-analyze-chess-games.md): Claude can read your chess games and explain them, but alone its evaluations are guesses. With Stockfish through Chess Coach, it explains real analysis.
- [Can Claude play chess? What it can and can't do (2026)](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/answers/can-claude-play-chess.md): Yes, Claude can play chess: it knows the rules and its newest models rarely make illegal moves. But it isn't an engine, and it still blunders.
- [Can Gemini play chess? Gemini's chess Elo in 2026](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/answers/can-gemini-play-chess.md): Can Gemini play chess? Yes: Gemini leads most public LLM chess leaderboards in October 2026. But it isn't an engine, and it still misses simple mates.
- [Grok chess: can Grok play, and how well? (2026)](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/answers/can-grok-play-chess.md): Grok chess, honestly: Grok plays legal moves, but it trails Gemini, OpenAI and Claude on public LLM chess leaderboards and lost the 2025 Kaggle final 4–0.
- [ChatGPT vs Stockfish: who wins at chess, and why](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/answers/chatgpt-vs-stockfish.md): ChatGPT vs Stockfish isn't a real contest: Stockfish searches ahead and only plays legal moves; ChatGPT predicts text. The viral games, and Claude too.
- [Chess.com Game Review estimated rating: what it means](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/answers/chess-com-game-review-estimated-rating-meaning.md): What the estimated rating in Chess.com Game Review means: a one-game performance score from your move quality, not your real rating. Real examples inside.
- [Chess.com Game Review not explaining moves? Here's why](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/answers/chess-com-game-review-not-explaining-moves.md): Chess.com Game Review not explaining your moves? Coach explanations on every move are Diamond-only. Why labels don't teach, and how to get the why.
- [Chess.com MCP server: your options for Claude (2026)](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/answers/chess-com-mcp-server.md): Is there a Chess.com MCP server? No official one, but open-source servers read Chess.com's public API. What they do, and how to get games reviewed in Claude.
- [Chess puzzles from your own games: 5 ways (2026)](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/answers/chess-puzzles-from-your-own-games.md): How to get chess puzzles from your own games: Lichess and Chess.com retry modes, a free manual method and own-mistake drills, with a real example.
- [Claude chess Elo: what the LLM leaderboards say (2026)](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/answers/claude-chess-elo.md): Claude has no official chess Elo. Here's what four LLM chess leaderboards estimate for Claude Opus, Sonnet and Haiku, and why their numbers disagree.
- [Claude vs ChatGPT chess: which AI plays better? (2026)](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/answers/claude-vs-chatgpt-chess.md): Claude vs ChatGPT at chess: OpenAI's best model is slightly ahead of Claude Opus 5.5 on public LLM leaderboards, and Gemini leads both. October 2026 data.
- [How many free game reviews on Chess.com? (2026 limits)](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/answers/how-many-free-game-reviews-chess-com.md): Chess.com gives free and Gold members 1 full Game Review per day; Platinum and Diamond are unlimited. Verified limits and legit ways to review more.
- [How to read chess notation: a beginner's guide (2026)](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/answers/how-to-read-chess-notation.md): How to read chess notation: square names, piece letters, x, +, # and castling, explained for beginners with a real 13-move game decoded move by move.
- [Inaccuracy vs mistake vs blunder in chess: the real cutoffs](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/answers/inaccuracy-vs-mistake-vs-blunder.md): Inaccuracy vs mistake vs blunder: how much winning chance each one costs on Chess.com and Lichess, with official thresholds and real game examples.
- [Is Chess.com Game Review accurate? What to trust](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/answers/is-chess-com-game-review-accurate.md): Is Chess.com Game Review accurate? Use it to investigate mistakes, check surprising lines, and separate engine scores from labels and estimated ratings.
- [Is Chess.com Premium worth it for beginners?](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/answers/is-chess-com-premium-worth-it-for-beginners.md): Is Chess.com Premium worth it for beginners? Choose by the lessons, puzzles and reviews you will actually use, with a practical checklist before paying.
- [Lichess game review vs Chess.com: what's different (2026)](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/answers/lichess-game-review-vs-chess-com.md): Lichess game review vs Chess.com: free limits, move labels, accuracy and practice compared with official sources, plus one real game scored both ways.
- [Lichess MCP server: what it does in Claude (2026)](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/answers/lichess-mcp-server.md): A Lichess MCP lets Claude use the Lichess API: games, profiles, puzzles, cloud evals. The open-source option, its limits, and AI analysis of finished games.
- [Stockfish MCP server: give Claude a chess engine](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/answers/stockfish-mcp-server.md): A Stockfish MCP server gives Claude a real chess engine to call. The open-source options, what their output looks like, and how Chess Coach uses Stockfish.
- [What does a 1000 rating on Chess.com mean? Real data](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/answers/what-does-a-1000-rating-on-chess-com-mean.md): What a 1000 rating on Chess.com means: your Glicko rating in one time class, not a FIDE rating. What 604 of my rapid games at 1000 actually looked like.
- [What is a brilliant move in chess? Chess.com's rule](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/answers/what-is-a-brilliant-move-in-chess.md): What is a brilliant move in chess? On Chess.com, a good piece sacrifice that's the best or nearly best move. Official rules and real examples.
- [What is a good accuracy in chess? Real numbers (2026)](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/answers/what-is-a-good-accuracy-in-chess.md): What is a good accuracy in chess? No official cutoff exists. Here's what Chess.com and Lichess say, plus my win and loss accuracy across 1,470 games.
- [What is centipawn loss? ACPL explained with real games](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/answers/what-is-centipawn-loss.md): What is centipawn loss? How much engine evaluation a move gives up, in hundredths of a pawn. How Lichess computes ACPL, and where it misleads.
- [Why do I keep blundering my queen? 136 lost queens](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/answers/why-do-i-keep-blundering-my-queen.md): Why do I keep blundering my queen? In 136 of my games it was two habits: moving the queen onto an attacked square, or leaving it attacked. Fixes inside.
- [Why do I keep losing on time in chess?](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/answers/why-do-i-keep-losing-on-time-in-chess.md): Why do I keep losing on time in chess? Review earlier clock use, distinguish increment from no increment and check connection-related endings.
- [Why do I keep losing winning positions in chess?](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/answers/why-do-i-keep-losing-winning-positions-in-chess.md): Why do I keep losing winning positions in chess? Find the first missed reply, check counterplay and practise preserving your advantage.
- [Why does ChatGPT play illegal moves in chess?](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/answers/why-does-chatgpt-play-illegal-moves-in-chess.md): ChatGPT plays illegal chess moves because it predicts text instead of keeping a board and checking the rules. The reasons, two examples and the Atari story.

## Guides

- [Adult chess improvement: build a plan you can repeat](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/guides/adult-chess-improvement.md): Adult chess improvement starts with a manageable study plan: review real games, train one weakness and track decisions without rating deadlines.
- [ChatGPT chess coach prompt: 8 copy-paste prompts](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/guides/chatgpt-chess-coach-prompt.md): A ChatGPT chess coach prompt plus 7 more for study plans, openings, engine lines and puzzles, and what never to trust the model on.
- [Claude chess skill: skills vs MCP for chess (2026)](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/guides/claude-code-chess-skill.md): Is there a Claude chess skill? What Agent Skills and MCP connectors are, the chess skills on GitHub, and how to use a chess connector in Claude Code.
- [How to analyze chess games as a beginner (6 steps)](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/guides/how-to-analyze-chess-games-as-a-beginner.md): How to analyze chess games as a beginner: write your thoughts first, find the 2–3 biggest engine swings, retry them and name the mistake. Real examples.
- [How to get better at rapid chess: play, review, repeat](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/guides/how-to-get-better-at-rapid-chess.md): How to get better at rapid chess: use a consistent time control, a short decision routine and reviews that turn real mistakes into training.
- [How to go from 800 to 1200 in chess: my 1,234 games](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/guides/how-to-go-from-800-to-1200-chess.md): How to go from 800 to 1200 in chess, from real data: my 1,234 rapid games over 11 months, what changed at each 100 points and what didn't matter.
- [How to read Stockfish analysis (and why it says blunder)](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/guides/how-to-read-stockfish-analysis.md): How to read Stockfish analysis: what +1.5, −3 and M2 mean, what depth and engine lines show, and why Stockfish called your move a blunder.
- [How to stop hanging pieces in chess: a safety routine](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/guides/how-to-stop-hanging-pieces-in-chess.md): Learn how to stop hanging pieces in chess with a square-by-square safety check, two real game examples and a practical review routine.
- [Lichess analysis board explained: every panel and button](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/guides/lichess-analysis-board-explained.md): Lichess analysis board explained for beginners: the engine panel, evaluation graph, ?! ? ?? symbols, accuracy, Learn from your mistakes and keyboard shortcuts.
- [Can you play chess with Claude? How it works (2026)](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/guides/play-chess-with-claude.md): Yes, you can play chess with Claude in a chat. How to set up a game with notation or a FEN, what to expect, and tips so it loses track less often.
- [Should I analyze my chess games with or without Stockfish?](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/guides/should-i-analyze-my-chess-games-with-or-without-stockfish.md): Should you analyze your chess games with or without Stockfish? Both, in that order: 5 minutes alone, then the engine. What each one misses, with real games.
- [Stuck at 1000 Elo in chess? Where my 425 games leaked points](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/guides/stuck-at-1000-elo-chess.md): Stuck at 1000 Elo in chess? It took me 425 games to get from 1000 to 1100. Engine data on the three leaks that kept me there, and how to get better.
- [Stuck at 1200 in chess? What 880 games told me](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/guides/stuck-at-1200-chess.md): Stuck at 1200 in chess? I've played 880 rapid games between 1160 and 1385 since reaching 1200. Engine data says the plateau is about finishing won games.
- [Why do I keep blundering in chess? 4,772 blunders sorted](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/guides/why-do-i-keep-blundering-in-chess.md): Why do I keep blundering in chess? I sorted the 4,772 blunders in my 2,125 games by cause. Half were one-move oversights a simple check catches.

## From 631 to 1385: the journey

- [Queen or pawn capture with check: my game 1130](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/collapse-game-1130.md): Queen or pawn capture with check in game 1130: two verified positions from my rapid game against leon751, with actual moves and engine alternatives.
- [Indian Game pawn pushes lose advantage: game 1142](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/collapse-game-1142.md): Indian game pawn pushes lose advantage in game 1142: two verified positions from my rapid game against mikaellaurio, with actual moves and engine alternatives.
- [Queen endgame time scramble: how I lost game 1220](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/collapse-game-1220.md): Queen endgame time scramble in my game 1220: a knight up for twenty moves, then a pinned knight, a missed queen trade and a lost queen with 1.5 seconds left.
- [Lost by abandonment in a winning position: game 1330](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/collapse-game-1330.md): In game 1330 White's last move left me at -7.01 with one winning check, but the game ended by abandonment. Five verified boards show how it went.
- [Flagged in a winning position: my game 1344](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/collapse-game-1344.md): Flagged in a winning position: in game 1344 I was at -6.90 with 14 seconds left, then my clock ran out. Four verified boards show how it slipped.
- [Resigning too early in chess: game 364, a win I threw away](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/collapse-game-364.md): Game #364: I was +4.65 against siegb (1020), blundered it away, then resigned at -0.74 with six minutes left. What resigning too early in chess cost me.
- [Game 499: a rook endgame with connected passed pawns I lost](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/collapse-game-499.md): Game #499: I had a rook and two connected passed pawns against a lone rook, -7.30 by Stockfish, with 16 minutes left. Then I put my rook next to White's king.
- [Game 506: my opponent missed mate in one twice, and I lost](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/collapse-game-506.md): Game #506: in a Giuoco Piano as Black my opponent missed mate in one on moves 15 and 20. I got a winning position out of it and still lost, with 11 blunders.
- [Van't Kruijs Opening as Black: game 509, a win I threw away](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/collapse-game-509.md): Game #509: against the Van't Kruijs Opening (1.e3) as Black I had kathmandu15 (938) beaten four times and lost anyway, with ten blunders in a 10-minute game.
- [King and pawn endgame mistakes: game 538, from +7.83 to mate](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/collapse-game-538.md): Game #538: a London System where I reached a king and pawn endgame at +7.83, made two king and pawn endgame mistakes in a row and got checkmated.
- [Bird's Opening Dutch Variation: game 591, mated a move from a win](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/collapse-game-591.md): Game #591: Black against Bird's Opening, Dutch Variation (1.f4 d5). I was winning three times and walked my king into mate one move after White blundered.
- [Missed f5 break with Black: my game 875 collapse](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/collapse-game-875.md): A missed f5 break with Black recurred in game 875. I lost to Fair_Play_1200 after several chances, then left my queen available for capture.
- [Bishop and knight endgame collapse: game 955](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/collapse-game-955.md): My bishop and knight endgame collapse in game 955 began with a missed bishop check. Two late positions show how I lost to Prowar3.
- [Rook recapture missing a mating threat: game 984](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/collapse-game-984.md): A rook recapture missing a mating threat cost me game 984 against MattPhan. Two consecutive decisions changed a forced win into checkmate for White.
- [Game 1: when your opponent brings the queen out early](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/game-1-my-first-rapid-game.md): My first rated rapid game on Chess.com: my opponent brought the queen out early, and Stockfish shows what to do about it (and what I did instead).
- [From 631 to 1385: my chess journey in 2,117 games](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey.md): A real adult improver's chess journey on Chess.com: 2,117 rapid games reviewed with Stockfish, week by week, from 631 to 1385.
- [11 losses in a row: my longest losing streak on Chess.com](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/longest-losing-streak.md): Games #355 to #365: eleven straight rapid losses, 1051 → 974 in four days. Every game, how each one ended, and what the engine found in them.
- [Indian Game early queen pawn grab: game 1142](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/opening-lesson-game-1142.md): Indian game early queen pawn grab in game 1142: two verified positions from my rapid game against mikaellaurio, with actual moves and engine alternatives.
- [East Indian London central pawn exchange: game 1162](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/opening-lesson-game-1162.md): East indian london central pawn exchange in game 1162: my actual decisions, two verified boards and the alternatives Stockfish preferred.
- [Modern Defense with 1.e4: what my game 1185 taught me](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/opening-lesson-game-1185.md): Modern Defense with 1.e4 in my game 1185: a clean opening at 94.5% accuracy, one knight choice Stockfish disliked, then a time scramble I won on time.
- [Zukertort Chigorin knight to e5 plan: my game 1272](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/opening-lesson-game-1272.md): The Zukertort Chigorin knight to e5 plan in my game 1272: Stockfish kept asking for Ne5, I kept playing other moves, and the game ended on time.
- [Pirc Classical knight sacrifice on b5: my game 1298](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/opening-lesson-game-1298.md): A Pirc Classical knight sacrifice on b5 gave me an extra piece in game 1298. Four verified boards show how I let the advantage go and lost.
- [Pirc queenside pawn push against Bc4: my game 1344](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/opening-lesson-game-1344.md): In game 1344 my Pirc queenside pawn push against 2.Bc4 (b5, a5, b4, d5) chased White's bishop for 15 moves. Five verified boards show what it won.
- [Pirc Defense poisoned b2 pawn: my game 1381](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/opening-lesson-game-1381.md): My Pirc Defense poisoned b2 pawn grab in game 1381: five verified boards, from 9...Qb6 to a missed mate in one and a draw with a queen.
- [Zukertort Chigorin in-between knight check: my game 1383](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/opening-lesson-game-1383.md): In game 1383 I missed a Zukertort Chigorin in-between knight check on move 15, lost a piece, fought back to winning and then hung my queen.
- [Accelerated London open a-file mistakes: my game 1406](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/opening-lesson-game-1406.md): Accelerated London open a-file mistakes in game 1406: I let a rook check on a1 slip through, then gave away a knight. Four verified boards from my loss.
- [Pirc Bc4 line, pawn-grabbing queen: my game 1412](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/opening-lesson-game-1412.md): In a Pirc Bc4 line my pawn-grabbing queen took three pawns in game 1412 and missed the simple trade on h3. Four verified boards from a loss I was winning.
- [Modern Defense Bxf7+ sacrifice: my 143-ply draw in game 1440](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/opening-lesson-game-1440.md): A Modern Defense Bxf7+ sacrifice gave me a winning game as Black in game 1440. I missed the queen check on f2 twice and drew with 1.6 seconds left.
- [Stalemate against two queens: how I drew game 1472](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/opening-lesson-game-1472.md): Stalemate against two queens saved my game 1472: down to a bare king, I drew when Black missed mate in one. Five verified boards show how I got there.
- [Queen's Pawn Opening with c6: +6 after the opening, then lost](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/opening-lesson-game-244.md): Game #244: the Queen's Pawn Opening with c6 gave me +6 against Anixamander (1073) by move 13. Seven blunders later I lost. What the opening taught me.
- [London System, game 284: the rook vs pawn endgame I drew](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/opening-lesson-game-284.md): Game #284: a London System that won me a pawn and a piece, then a rook vs pawn endgame I let slip into a draw with nine minutes on my clock.
- [London System vs d6: clean opening, then my back rank (game 412)](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/opening-lesson-game-412.md): Game #412: the London System vs 1...d6 gave me 95.8 accuracy in the opening against a 1144. Then I left my back rank open and missed a mate-in-one threat.
- [Accelerated London System with c4: +8 against a 1385, then mated](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/opening-lesson-game-442.md): Game #442: my Accelerated London System with c4 against onehorseopen (1385). Lost early, won back, mate in four on the board, then checkmated with 2:44 left.
- [London System vs Stonewall Dutch: the bishop I gave for a pawn](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/opening-lesson-game-465.md): Game #465: a London System against a Stonewall Dutch setup, a bishop lost on b5 on move 10, a long fightback, and a knight I didn't take three times.
- [The Bxf2+ trick in the Italian Game that I didn't play](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/opening-lesson-game-480.md): Game #480: a Giuoco Piano as Black where White's 7.Re1 allowed the Bxf2+ trick, I retreated instead, was winning again later, and resigned an equal position.
- [Giuoco Piano Na5 as Black: chasing the bishop and not taking it](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/opening-lesson-game-499.md): Game #499: in a Giuoco Piano as Black I played Na5, the engine's move, to hunt White's bishop. Then I left it on b3 and played three other plans.
- [How to checkmate with king and rook: my 28-second draw](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/opening-lesson-game-588.md): Game #588: I had king and rook against a bare king for 21 moves, with 28 seconds and no increment, missed two mates in 2 and drew by repetition.
- [Modern Defense with 1.d4: game 600 and the Ne5 I missed 3 times](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/opening-lesson-game-600.md): Game #600: against the Modern Defense with 1.d4, Black weakened the king with f6, g5 and h6. Ne5 won on the spot three times; I missed it and drew.
- [King and pawn vs king: the stalemate that saved my draw](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/opening-lesson-game-627.md): Game #627: a Giuoco Piano where I missed a free rook, gave my bishop for a pawn, and was saved by a king and pawn vs king stalemate on move 73.
- [Zukertort knight rerouting: my missed plan](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/opening-lesson-game-791.md): Zukertort knight rerouting was the missed plan in game 791. I lost to mausssie on time after repeatedly overlooking the move to e4.
- [Zukertort recapture mistakes: a win worth reviewing](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/opening-lesson-game-807.md): My Zukertort recapture mistakes in game 807 cost large advantages. I still beat shanumnx on time; three boards show what the win concealed.
- [Englund Gambit queen chase mistakes: game 850](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/opening-lesson-game-850.md): Englund Gambit queen chase mistakes cost me the opening in game 850. I beat MarshallZyn on time, but the boards show why the chase needed review.
- [Accelerated London missed mate: my game 904](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/opening-lesson-game-904.md): An Accelerated London missed mate turned a one-move win into a losing position in game 904. Earlier recapture mistakes show why I reviewed the whole game.
- [London System missed rook check: game 950](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/opening-lesson-game-950.md): London system missed rook check in game 950: two verified positions from my rapid game against Prestocat, with actual moves and engine alternatives.
- [Englund Gambit missed en passant capture: game 955](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/opening-lesson-game-955.md): Englund gambit missed en passant capture in game 955: two verified positions from my rapid game against Prowar3, with actual moves and engine alternatives.
- [Indian Game missed f pawn break: game 966](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/opening-lesson-game-966.md): Indian game missed f pawn break in game 966: two verified positions from my rapid game against MeTator15, with actual moves and engine alternatives.
- [Queens Pawn Opening bishop retreat for Black: game 984](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/opening-lesson-game-984.md): Queens pawn opening bishop retreat for black in game 984: two verified positions from my rapid game against MattPhan, with actual moves and engine alternatives.
- [Reaching 1000: how many games it took me (game #232)](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/reaching-1000.md): How many games to reach 1000 Elo? For me, 232 rapid games on Chess.com, from 631 to 1001. The game that did it, and the pinned pawn behind it.
- [Reaching 1100 in rapid: my game 656](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/reaching-1100.md): Reaching 1100 in rapid took me 656 games. My Scotch Game win over wahoo82 shows one early mistake and two concrete decisions that worked.
- [How long to get to 1200 chess rating? 1,237 games for me](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/reaching-1200.md): How long to get to 1200 chess rating: it took me 1,237 rapid games and 349 days, from 631. The game that did it had two blunders in a row.
- [Reaching 1300 in rapid: my game 1313](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/reaching-1300.md): Reaching 1300 in rapid took me 1,313 games. My win over mafimoshgele crossed the line, but Stockfish shows a missed mate in two on the way.
- [Reaching 700: how to punish blunders in chess (game 2)](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/reaching-700.md): Game 2 of my journey: my opponent blundered twice and I gave half of it back each time. How to punish blunders in chess, shown with Stockfish.
- [How long to get to 800 chess rating? For me, three games](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/reaching-800.md): How long it took me to get to an 800 chess rating on Chess.com: three rapid games on January 10, 2024, from 631 to 868. Game #3, move by move, with Stockfish.
- [How long to get to 900 chess rating? 32 games, six days](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/reaching-900.md): How long it took me to get to a 900 chess rating on Chess.com: 32 rapid games in six days. Game #32 against a 1041, with Stockfish, and the slide that followed.
- [Beating a 1074 at 924: a London System kingside attack](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/upset-game-216.md): Game #216: I beat angelmariabecerrilandres (1074) with a London System kingside attack. Black's king lost castling early; I nearly let it escape twice.
- [Beating a 1156 at 1006 against the Levitsky Attack](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/upset-game-265.md): Game #265: how I played against the Levitsky Attack and beat danielnice (1156) as Black with no mistakes by Stockfish's count. One pawn push decided it.
- [Beating a 1159 at 996: the Giuoco Pianissimo as Black](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/upset-game-311.md): Game #311: I beat kraziianmol (1159) as Black in the Giuoco Pianissimo after a bad knight move and a blunder of my own on move 5. How it still turned.
- [How to beat the Grob Opening as Black: a 169-point upset](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/upset-game-396.md): Game #396: how I beat the Grob Opening as Black against wormy84 (1149) at 980, in 19 moves, by hitting the long diagonal White's pawn pushes opened.
- [Accelerated London System vs Bd6: beating a 1191 at 1008](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/upset-game-413.md): Game #413: what I did when Black answered my Accelerated London System with Bd6 against zafpar (1191), and why the win came after seven moves.
- [Pirc Defense as White: beating a 1055 at 884 (game #46)](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/upset-game-46.md): Game #46: after nine losses in a row I met a 1055 in a Pirc Defense as White. Nine clean moves, then my opponent abandoned. What the engine saw.
- [London System vs Nc6: beating a 1286 in 12 moves at 1048](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/upset-game-466.md): Game #466: my biggest upset, a 238-point gap. A London System against an early Nc6, a pin on b5, a queen on a4 and a 12-move win over bobbo6767 (1286).
- [London System vs g5: beating a 1093 at 945 (game 514)](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/upset-game-514.md): Game #514: my London System vs an early ...h6 and ...g5 from Avazbek1999 (1093). How I met the g5 push, won material, and then kept giving it back.
- [King's Gambit Declined Classical: beating a 1097 as Black](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/upset-game-70.md): Game #70: a King's Gambit Declined Classical Variation against a 1097. Two opening mistakes of mine, one blunder of theirs, and how I punished it.
- [Beating a 1054 at 907: a Philidor Defense queen trade](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/upset-game-91.md): Game #91: I beat Juds0n777 (1054) as Black after a Philidor Defense queen trade. My king on d8 cost me twice; a bishop fork won it.
- [Week 1 (Jan 2024): how to analyze chess games as a beginner](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w02.md): My first 30 rapid games: 631 → 875 (+244), 15 wins, 14 losses, 1 draw. How I analyze chess games as a beginner, using three Stockfish moments.
- [Week 2 (Jan 2024): 10-minute rapid and a 9-game losing streak](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w03.md): 875 → 899 (+24) in 36 games: I switched to 10|5, lost nine in a row and learned what getting better at rapid chess really asks for.
- [Week 3 (Jan 2024): is the London System good for beginners?](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w04.md): 899 → 872 in 43 games and 2 wins in 10 London System games. Is the London good for beginners? My data says the opening wasn't what lost.
- [Week 4 (Feb 2024): three queen mistakes and a 5-game win streak](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w05.md): 872 → 884 (+12) in 28 games, 4–11 with White, five wins in a row. Why I kept blundering my queen, shown in three Stockfish moments.
- [Week 5 (Feb 2024): stuck in the 800s after nine straight losses](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w06.md): 884 → 860 (-24) in 38 games, with nine losses in a row. What my own games say about how to go from 800 to 1200 in chess: blunders first.
- [Week 6 (Feb 2024): +53 with Bf4 setups and the Englund Gambit](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w07.md): 860 → 913 (+53) in 25 games: my London System setups went 4–0, and the London bishop beat the Englund Gambit twice before losing to it once.
- [Week 7 (Feb 2024): best accuracy yet and still a losing week](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w08.md): 913 → 903 (-10) in 14 games at 80.6% average accuracy, my best yet. What chess game review accuracy tells you, and what it hides.
- [Week 8 (Feb 2024): touching 1000 Elo for the first time](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w09.md): 903 → 982 (+79) in 37 games, and my first time at 1000 Elo in chess: 1001 after game #232, gone one game later. What got me there, and what didn't.
- [Week 9 (Mar 2024): best chess openings at 1000 Elo, my data](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w10.md): 982 → 1023 (+41) in 40 games, my first week ending above 1000. Which openings worked at 1000 Elo: London setups went 5–1–2, the Italian beat me 5–1.
- [Week 10 (Mar 2024): 9 games at 1000 Elo and 0–4 with Black](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w11.md): 1023 → 1022 in only 9 games: 4–1 with White, 0–4 with Black, 82.1% accuracy. How to get better at chess at 1000 Elo when the Black games collapse early.
- [Week 11 (Mar 2024): 0–6 with White and back under 1000](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w12.md): 1022 → 999 (-23) in 13 games, 0–6 with White and six losses from winning positions. Three chess mistakes to avoid, straight from my games.
- [Week 12 (Mar 2024): my cleanest week, and a missed mate in 3](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w13.md): 999 → 1036 (+37) in 13 games: 8 wins, five in a row, only 12 blunders, and a forced mate in 3 I missed. How to get better at checkmating in chess.
- [Week 13 (Apr 2024): how to beat the London System as Black](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w14.md): 1036 → 1051 (+15) in 26 games. I beat a London System as Black in 15 moves at 98.4% accuracy, then lost with the London myself 11 minutes later.
- [Week 14 (Apr 2024): eleven losses in a row, back under 1000](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w15.md): Week 14: 1051 → 993 in 24 games, with eleven consecutive losses. Three engine-checked positions show the errors behind the streak.
- [Week 15 (Apr 2024): early queen attacks and 3–9 with Black](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w16.md): 993 → 976 (-17) in 21 games, 3–9 with Black, three losses in under 20 half-moves. How to get better at chess openings, starting with early queen attacks.
- [Week 16 (Apr 2024): knight forks I missed and one I allowed](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w17.md): 976 → 997 (+21) in 14 games at 83.6% accuracy, my best yet. Chess tactics for beginners from my week: the knight fork I missed and the one I allowed.
- [Week 17 (Apr 2024): back above 1000 and what that rating means](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w18.md): Week 17 of my chess journey: 997 → 1017 in 19 rapid games (9 wins, 10 losses). What a 1000 rating on Chess.com looks like, game by game.
- [Week 18 (May 2024): one win in ten games with Black](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w19.md): Week 18: 1017 → 1022 in 18 rapid games, yet only 1 win, 7 losses and 2 draws with Black. Two Scotch Gambit losses and a loss on time.
- [Week 19 (May 2024): a rook, a bishop and a pawn left hanging](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w20.md): Week 19: 1022 → 1038 in 16 rapid games (8 wins, 8 losses). I left a rook, a bishop and a pawn hanging, and Stockfish shows what I missed.
- [Week 20 (May 2024): six losses in a row, and why](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w21.md): Week 20: 1038 → 1026 in 10 rapid games, 2 wins, 7 losses, 1 draw, including six straight losses. What the engine found in each one.
- [Week 21 (May 2024): 1026 → 975, stuck at 1000 again](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w22.md): Week 21: 1026 → 975 in 19 rapid games, 5 wins and 14 losses. One win in eleven games with Black, and a queen lost on move 6.
- [Week 22 (Jun 2024): 91 blunders in 29 games and a stalemate](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w23.md): Week 22: 975 → 956 in 29 rapid games (11 wins, 17 losses, 1 draw), 91 blunders and a stalemate from mate in 3. What I'd do to avoid them.
- [Week 23 (Jun 2024): back to 10-minute games and back over 1000](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w24.md): Week 23: 956 → 1009 in 40 ten-minute rapid games (23 wins, 17 losses), a six-game winning streak, and three opening losses to start.
- [Week 24 (Jun 2024): the forks and loose pieces I kept missing](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w25.md): Week 24: 1009 → 1020 in 44 rapid games (22 wins, 20 losses, 2 draws) with 101 blunders. Three basic tactics I missed or walked into.
- [Week 25 (Jun 2024): I missed a mate in 3 and it cost the game](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w26.md): Week 25: 1020 → 1038 in 22 ten-minute games (11 wins, 9 losses, 2 draws). A missed mate in 3, a six-game streak and the checks I didn't calculate.
- [Week 26 (Jul 2024): new peak at 1112 on the way to 1200](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w27.md): Week 26: 1038 → 1090 in 34 rapid games (20 wins, 14 losses) and a new high of 1112. Two six-game streaks, and three losses worth studying.
- [Week 27 (Jul 2024): from 1090 to 1018 with my London setups](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w28.md): Week 27: 1090 → 1018 in 27 rapid games (8 wins, 17 losses, 2 draws). My Bf4 setups went 4–9–1, a bishop lost on move 3, a stalemate.
- [Week 28 (Jul 2024): 48 games and three losses on time](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w29.md): Week 28: 1018 → 991 in 48 rapid games (22 wins, 25 losses, 1 draw). Three losses on time, all from winning positions, and a missed mate in one.
- [Week 29 (Jul 2024): 1–6 with White and three opening blunders](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w30.md): Week 29: 991 → 980 in 12 rapid games (5 wins, 7 losses). One win in seven games with White and three early blunders that decided the week.
- [Week 30 (Aug 2024): switching to 1.e4 as White](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w31.md): Week 30: 980 → 985 in 25 rapid games (13 wins, 12 losses). I switched from 1.d4 to 1.e4, went 6–4 with it, and missed a mate in 4.
- [Week 31 (Aug 2024): six games and my chess improvement plan](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w32.md): Week 31: 985 → 985 in 6 rapid games (3 wins, 3 losses). Two losses where castling was the best move, and a plan drawn from 15 weeks of data.
- [Week 32 (Aug 2024): the Englund Gambit and a seven-game skid](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w33.md): Week 32: 985 → 960 in 23 rapid games (10 wins, 13 losses). Two Englund Gambit losses after 1.d4 e5, seven straight losses, and what I missed.
- [Week 33 (Aug 2024): my Zukertort setup and an en passant shock](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w34.md): Week 33 of my chess journey: 960 → 993 in 25 rapid games, 14 wins with a d4–Bf4 Zukertort setup, and an en passant capture I never saw coming.
- [Week 34 (Aug 2024): 7 games, no wins, 6 winning positions](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w35.md): Week 34 of my chess journey: 993 → 945 (-48) with 0 wins, 6 losses and 1 draw, and the engine says I was winning in six of those seven games.
- [Week 35 (Sep 2024): stuck at 945 and the forks I didn't see](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w36.md): Week 35 of my chess journey: 945 → 945 in 8 rapid games (4 wins, 4 losses), 26 blunders, and three tactical double attacks I missed or allowed.
- [Week 36 (Sep 2024): ten wins in a row and back over 1000](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w37.md): Week 36 of my chess journey: 945 → 1007 (+62) in 27 rapid games, a 10-game winning streak, and what the engine found inside those wins.
- [Week 37 (Sep 2024): 93 blunders and stuck at 1000](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w38.md): Week 37 of my chess journey: 1007 → 999 in 37 rapid games (18–19), a seven-game losing streak and 93 blunders. Why I was stuck at 1000 Elo.
- [Week 38 (Sep 2024): 1044, two stalemates and bad captures](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w39.md): Week 38 of my chess journey: 999 → 1044 (+45) in 38 rapid games, three captures I miscalculated and two stalemates when I had mate in two.
- [Week 39 (Oct 2024): 60 rapid games in one week for -2 points](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w40.md): Week 39 of my chess journey: 60 rapid games, 29 wins, 29 losses, 154 blunders and 1044 → 1042. Playing more did not make me better at rapid chess.
- [Week 40 (Oct 2024): a knight hung in a won endgame](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w41.md): Week 40 of my chess journey: 1042 → 1017 in 20 rapid games (8 wins, 11 losses), and three knight moves to squares the opponent could take.
- [Week 41 (Oct 2024): pins, pins and hanging on at 1001](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w42.md): Week 41 of my chess journey: 1017 → 1001 in 8 rapid games (3 wins, 5 losses), a pin I missed, a pin that backfired, and what a 1000 rating meant for me.
- [Week 42 (Oct 2024): 13 blunders in 9 games and four clean wins](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w43.md): Week 42 of my chess journey: 1001 → 1009 in 9 rapid games (5–4). One blunder in my wins, twelve in my losses: what that says about how to stop blundering.
- [Week 43 (Oct 2024): 12–5 with White, 3–12 with Black](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w44.md): Week 43 of my chess journey: 1009 → 994 in 33 rapid games. With White I went 12–5; with Black 3–12–1, and after 1.e4 e5 I won just 1 game in 10.
- [Week 44 (Nov 2024): 13 wins in 18 games, back to 1058](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w45.md): Week 44 of my chess journey: 994 → 1058 (+64) in 18 rapid games, 10 wins in my first 11, and a completely won game I lost on time with 5 seconds left.
- [Week 45 (Nov 2024): a new best of 1147 with the London System](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w46.md): Week 45 of my chess journey: 1058 → 1140 (+82) in 33 rapid games, a new personal best of 1147, and the London System knight move that hung a piece.
- [Week 46 (Nov 2024): a new peak of 1159, then seven losses](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w47.md): Week 46 of my chess journey: a new best of 1159, then seven losses in a row down to 1105. 6 wins, 11 losses in 17 rapid games, and the reasons in the data.
- [Week 47 (Nov 2024): 40 blunders in 13 games, down to 1074](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w48.md): Week 47 of my chess journey: 1105 → 1074 in 13 rapid games (4 wins, 9 losses), 3.1 blunders per game, and a +6.65 position lost on time.
- [Week 48 (Dec 2024): my best accuracy and an endgame king walk](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w49.md): Week 48 of my chess journey: 1074 → 1099 in 12 rapid games (7–4–1), 82.8 % accuracy, and three king moves that turned a won endgame into a loss.
- [Week 49 (Dec 2024): six losses from winning positions](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w50.md): Week 49: 18 rapid games, 1099 → 1120 (+21), 10 wins and 8 losses. Six of the losses came from positions the engine rated as winning for me.
- [Week 50 (Dec 2024): 35 games, 83 blunders, two quick mates](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w51.md): Week 50 of my chess diary: 35 rapid games, 18 wins and 17 losses, 1120 → 1141. I made 83 blunders, and two of them got me checkmated on move 17.
- [Week 51: reaching 1200 over Christmas](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2024-w52.md): Week 51: 28 rapid games over Christmas, 1141 → 1184. On December 24 I passed 1200 for the first time, at game 1237, then slipped back below it.
- [Week 52 (Jan 2025): back over 1200 with the Pirc Defense](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w01.md): Week 52: 21 rapid games, 12 wins and 9 losses, 1184 → 1227. My Pirc Defense games went 3–2 and my average accuracy was 82.9%.
- [Week 53 (Jan 2025): Pirc Classical 1–4, Black 4–10](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w02.md): Week 53: 27 rapid games, 1227 → 1238 (+11). White went 9–4, Black went 4–10, and my Pirc Defense Classical Variation games went 1–4.
- [Week 54 (Jan 2025): +96 in a week and my first 1300](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w03.md): Week 54: 32 rapid games, 21 wins and 11 losses, 1238 → 1334 (+96). I reached 1300 for the first time, helped by opponents who didn't punish my worst moves.
- [Week 55 (Jan 2025): two time losses from winning positions](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w04.md): Week 55: 17 rapid games, 5 wins and 12 losses, 1334 → 1288 (−46). Two losses on time from winning positions and 10 blunders with under a minute left.
- [Week 56 (Jan 2025): Pirc vs Modern, 0–3 with Black](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w05.md): Week 56: only 4 rapid games, 1 win and 3 losses, 1288 → 1272 (−16). All three losses came with Black, in the Pirc and the Modern Defense.
- [Week 57 (Feb 2025): one London System game, one bad castle](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w06.md): Week 57 was a single rapid game: a London System loss that cost 8 points (1272 → 1264). I was two pawns up until queenside castling walked into a pin.
- [Week 58 (Feb 2025): a queen hung in one move, 58% accuracy](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w08.md): Week 58: three rapid games, 1 win and 2 losses, 1264 → 1257 (−7). My accuracy fell to 58.4%, and one game ended the moment my queen was taken.
- [Week 59 (Feb 2025): hanging pieces on both sides of the board](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w09.md): Week 59: 10 rapid games in two days, 5 wins and 5 losses, 1257 → 1259. I hung a rook on move 2, missed a free bishop and lost a knight to a queen.
- [Week 60 (Mar 2025): Black goes 1–4 in the Modern and the Pirc](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w10.md): Week 60: 9 rapid games, 4 wins and 5 losses, 1259 → 1251 (−8). White went 3–1; with Black I went 1–4 in the Modern Defense and the Pirc.
- [Week 61 (Mar 2025): the Zukertort Chigorin and an 8–1–1 run](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w11.md): Week 61: 13 rapid games, 8 wins, 4 losses and a draw, 1251 → 1283 (+32). After three losses I went 8–1–1; my Zukertort Chigorin Variation went 2–2.
- [Week 62 (Mar 2025): back over 1300 after 53 games in the 1200s](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w12.md): Week 62: 18 rapid games, 10 wins and 8 losses, 1283 → 1307. After 53 games in the 1200s I got back over 1300, despite hanging a bishop on move 3.
- [Week 63 (Mar 2025): 0–3 in the Pirc Geller System](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w13.md): Week 63: 9 rapid games, 3 wins and 6 losses, 1307 → 1282 (−25). My Pirc Defense, Modern Defense Geller System games went 0–3, one of them from a five-pawn lead.
- [Week 64 (Apr 2025): a sudden losing streak, explained by data](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w14.md): Week 64: 13 rapid games, 5 wins and 8 losses, 1282 → 1267 (−15). Over two weeks I went 8–14, and 8 of those losses came from winning positions.
- [Week 65 (Apr 2025): 68 blunders in 24 games](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w15.md): Week 65 of my chess diary: 1267 → 1265 in 24 rapid games (11 W, 12 L, 1 D) and 68 blunders. Why do I blunder so much? The data answers.
- [Week 66 (Apr 2025): the Modern Defense lifts me to 1317](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w16.md): Week 66: 1265 → 1292 in 32 rapid games (16 W, 13 L, 3 D), a peak of 1317 and 5 wins in 6 Modern Defense games as Black.
- [Week 67 (Apr 2025): Zukertort Chigorin, 0 wins in 3 games](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w17.md): Week 67: 1292 → 1260 in 11 rapid games (3 W, 8 L). Three Zukertort Chigorin losses, and the same queen-to-a4 idea failed twice in two days.
- [Week 68 (May 2025): the Englund Gambit and a bishop on h6](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w18.md): Week 68: one rapid game, 1260 → 1252. A London System player meets the Englund Gambit (1.d4 e5), declines the pawn and hangs a bishop on move 4.
- [Week 69 (May 2025): Pirc Classical, saved by stalemate](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w20.md): Week 69: one rapid game, 1252 → 1252. A Pirc Defense Classical Variation where I blundered on move 10 and was saved by stalemate on move 71.
- [Week 70 (May 2025): a Pirc main line mate, an Englund collapse](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w21.md): Week 70: two rapid games, 1252 → 1252. A Pirc Defense main line win by checkmate, and an Englund Gambit loss after missing a winning check.
- [Week 71 (Jun 2025): Pirc and Modern as Black, 3 wins, 4 losses](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w23.md): Week 71: 1252 → 1260 in 19 rapid games (10 W, 9 L). Is the Pirc Defense good for beginners? My Pirc and Modern games as Black went 3–4.
- [Week 72 (Jun 2025): 11 London games and my best accuracy yet](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w24.md): Week 72: 1260 → 1277 in 18 rapid games (9 W, 7 L, 2 D). All 11 White games were London setups. Is the London System good for beginners?
- [Week 73 (Jun 2025): 34 rapid games and a 1277 ceiling](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w25.md): Week 73: 34 rapid games, 16 W, 17 L, 1 D, and 1277 → 1270. Four times at 1277, never higher. What it taught me about getting better at rapid chess.
- [Week 74 (Jun 2025): London vs King's Indian, 0 out of 3](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w26.md): Week 74: 1270 → 1280 in 28 rapid games (13 W, 13 L, 2 D), a peak of 1304, and 0 wins in 3 London System vs King's Indian games.
- [Week 75 (Jul 2025): five winning middlegames, seven losses](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w27.md): Week 75: 1280 → 1248 in 10 rapid games (3 W, 7 L). Five winning middlegames thrown away and a mate on move 7: how to get better at the middlegame.
- [Week 76 (Jul 2025): 91% accuracy and a rook endgame I let go](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w28.md): Week 76: 1248 → 1264 in 4 rapid games (3 W, 1 L) at 91.0% accuracy. One clean endgame, one rook endgame thrown away: how to get better at endgames.
- [Week 77 (Jul 2025): Modern Defense 0–4, Pirc Invitation 1–0](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w29.md): Week 77: 1264 → 1242 in 9 rapid games (3 W, 6 L). Pirc Defense vs Modern Defense in my games: the Modern went 0–4, three times from a winning position.
- [Week 78 (Jul 2025): the knight forks I missed three times](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w30.md): Week 78: three rapid games, 1242 → 1241 (1 W, 2 L). I missed a knight fork three times in two games: how to improve at chess tactics from my own misses.
- [Week 79 (Jul 2025): a queen and a bishop left hanging](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w31.md): Week 79: 1241 → 1217 in 5 rapid games (1 W, 4 L). Why do I keep blundering pieces? A queen and a bishop hung on the same day, both from winning positions.
- [Week 80 (Aug 2025): back to 1200, seven months later](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w32.md): Week 80: two rapid losses, 1217 → 1200, my first time at 1200 since January 3, 2025. What being stuck at 1200 in chess looks like in the data.
- [Week 81 (Aug 2025): the London Zukertort setup at 1200](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w33.md): Week 81: 1200 to 1208 in three rapid games. Two wins with my London System setup and one Modern Defense loss where I missed a queen move.
- [Week 82 (Aug 2025): 23 blunders in 11 games, down to 1171](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w34.md): Week 82: 1208 to 1171 in 11 rapid games, 3 wins and 8 losses, with 23 blunders, a five-game losing streak and four winning positions I didn't convert.
- [Week 83 (Aug 2025): the Modern Defense and six wins in a row](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w35.md): Week 83: 1171 to 1205 in 15 rapid games (9 wins, 6 losses). Six straight wins, a 3-1 score with the Modern Defense as Black, and 36 blunders.
- [Week 84 (Sep 2025): clean openings, messy middlegames](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w36.md): Week 84: 1205 to 1229 with 6 wins and 3 losses. My opening accuracy averaged 88.4% and my middlegame 67.2%; 15 of 19 blunders came after the opening.
- [Week 85 (Sep 2025): 1252, and an endgame saved by stalemate](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w37.md): Week 85: 1229 to 1252 with 6 wins, 3 losses and a draw. As White I went 4-0; as Black I lost a won endgame and was saved by stalemate.
- [Week 86 (Sep 2025): how my opponents beat the Modern Defense](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w38.md): Week 86: 1252 to 1222 in 16 rapid games (6-10). My Modern Defense went 0-5 as Black: how those games were lost, move by move.
- [Week 87 (Sep 2025): 47 blunders and a loss on time](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w39.md): Week 87: 1222 to 1206 in 14 rapid games (6-8). 47 blunders, 10 of them in one game I was winning until my clock ran down to seconds.
- [Week 88 (Sep 2025): stuck at 1200, sliding to 1168](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w40.md): Week 88: 1206 to 1168 in 15 rapid games (5-10), my lowest rating since December 2024. 485 games after first reaching 1200, I'm still stuck there.
- [Week 89 (Oct 2025): Pirc Classical, and I forgot to castle](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w41.md): Week 89: two games on one day, rating 1168 to 1168. A 96.2% win by checkmate, and a Pirc Defense Classical Variation loss where I didn't castle.
- [Week 90 (Oct 2025): London vs Accelerated London, same setup](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w42.md): Week 90: 1168 to 1177 in four games (2-2). Three 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 games got three opening names; the Accelerated London one was a win I let slip.
- [Week 91 (Oct 2025): Pirc vs Modern Defense, 0-3 against 4-0](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w43.md): Week 91: 1177 to 1202 in 19 rapid games (11-8). With 1...g6 as Black, my Modern games went 4-0 and my Pirc games 0-3. Plus a knight fork I saw one move late.
- [Week 92 (Oct 2025): 43 rapid games, +99 and back to 1301](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w44.md): Week 92: 43 rapid games, 27 wins, 15 losses and a draw, from 1202 to 1301. My second-best week ever, with 116 blunders. What the engine says about it.
- [Week 93 (Nov 2025): losing winning positions, 1301 to 1229](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w45.md): Week 93: 1301 to 1229 in 18 rapid games (4-13-1). Nine games with over 80% winning chances that I didn't win, one of them a forced mate lost on time.
- [Week 94 (Nov 2025): 11 wins in a row and a London Qb6 lesson](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w46.md): Week 94: 1229 to 1288 in 29 rapid games (17-10-2). Three losses, then an 11-game winning streak, and the London System Qb6 move I missed: a3.
- [Week 95 (Nov 2025): my 1385 peak, with the Pirc going 4-0](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w47.md): Week 95: 37 rapid games (23-13-1), from 1288 to 1368, with an all-time peak of 1385 after a Pirc win. Four Pirc games, four wins, and what they say.
- [Week 96 (Nov 2025): after the peak, two London lessons](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w48.md): Week 96: 1368 to 1353 in six games (2-4) against 1350-1391 opponents. Is the London System good for beginners? My numbers since August, and two lessons.
- [Week 97 (Dec 2025): grabbing the b7 pawn cost me the game](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w49.md): Week 97 of my chess diary: 1353 → 1337 after two losses. My queen took the b7 pawn, I missed a winning check and got mated on move 16.
- [Week 98 (Dec 2025): a rook captured with check](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w50.md): Week 98: 1337 → 1313 with one win and four losses. Sixteen blunders in five games: a rook lost with check, a pawn fork and a queen left hanging.
- [Week 99 (Dec 2025): learning to convert an advantage](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w51.md): Week 99: 19 games, 10 wins, 1313 → 1328. Even my wins had wobbles, and five of my nine losses came from positions the engine had me winning.
- [Week 100 (Dec 2025): London System vs Qb6 cost me a rook](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2025-w52.md): Week 100: 17 games (6 wins, 10 losses, 1 draw), 1328 → 1295. Against Qb6 in the London System I lost b2 and then my rook on a1.
- [Week 101 (Jan 2026): up to 1351, then a six-game losing streak](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2026-w01.md): Week 101: 23 games, 11–11–1, 1295 → 1296. I climbed to 1351, then lost six in a row, five of them on one day. What a losing streak looks like in data.
- [Week 102 (Jan 2026): what the Modern Defense taught me](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2026-w02.md): Week 102: 11 games, 4 wins, 7 losses, 1296 → 1283. Three quick losses with 1...g6 as Black show what the Modern Defense asks of a beginner.
- [Week 103 (Jan 2026): a pin on c6 and back up to 1292](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2026-w03.md): Week 103: seven games, 4 wins and 3 losses, 1283 → 1292. A pinned knight, a bishop left without its defender and two clean mating wins.
- [Week 104 (Jan 2026): London System mistakes and a 31-point drop](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2026-w04.md): Week 104: 12 games, 4 wins and 8 losses, 1292 → 1261. Six London games with White and the same mistakes: wandering knights and a king walk into mate.
- [Week 105 (Feb 2026): one game and my fianchetto's weak spot](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2026-w07.md): Week 105: a single game after 18 days off, a loss, 1261 → 1260. White traded my g7 bishop with Bxh6 and Qxh6, and one quiet move allowed mate in three.
- [Week 106 (Feb 2026): when to castle queenside (not like this)](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2026-w08.md): Week 106: 8 games, 2 wins, 6 losses, 1260 → 1228. Three times I castled queenside and three times it was a blunder. The f2 pawn explains why.
- [Week 107 (Feb 2026): three losses and back down to 1204](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2026-w09.md): Week 107: three games, three losses, 1228 → 1204, my lowest rating since October 2025. What being stuck at 1200 looks like, one mistake per game.
- [Week 108 (Mar 2026): my queen could have been trapped, twice](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2026-w10.md): Week 108: one game, one win, 1204 → 1212. My queen on f6 could have been trapped by Bg5 two moves in a row; I survived and won a pawn race.
- [Week 109 (Mar 2026): +35 and the double attacks I missed](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2026-w11.md): Week 109: 8 games, 5 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw, 1212 → 1247, my best week in months. Even so, a missed double attack cost me a won game.
- [Week 110 (Mar 2026): 30-minute games at 10-minute speed](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2026-w12.md): Week 110: 12 games, 5–7, 1247 → 1242. Nine were 30-minute games, and I blundered with 25 minutes left. What longer time controls did and didn't fix.
- [Week 111 (Mar 2026): knight forks, a stalemate and 15 games](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2026-w13.md): Week 111: 15 games, 6 wins, 8 losses, 1 draw, 1242 → 1233. A knight fork on f2 again, a fork I could have played myself, and a won ending drawn by stalemate.
- [Week 112 (Apr 2026): counting attackers before I capture](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2026-w14.md): Week 112: 9 games, 3 wins, 4 losses, 2 draws, 1233 → 1227. A bishop lost by miscounting on h4, the f2 fork once more, and a 98.3 % win.
- [Week 113 (Apr 2026): three winning positions I still lost](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2026-w15.md): Week 113: 1227 → 1219 in 9 rapid games. Three of my five losses came from positions the engine rated as winning for me. Here is how.
- [Week 114 (Apr 2026): 46 blunders in 12 games, still +9](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2026-w16.md): Week 114: 1219 → 1228 in 12 rapid games (6 wins, 5 losses, 1 draw) with 46 blunders. What they have in common and how to stop blundering.
- [Week 115 (Apr 2026): five games with White, five losses](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2026-w17.md): Week 115: 1228 → 1205 in 11 rapid games. With Black I went 4–2; with White I lost all five. Why I suddenly kept losing, in three positions.
- [Week 116 (Apr 2026): why I keep blundering pieces at 1200](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2026-w18.md): Week 116: 1205 → 1206 in 8 rapid games, with a dip to 1197. Three captures that cost me material, and why I keep blundering pieces.
- [Week 117 (May 2026): Pirc Classical wins, London losses](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2026-w19.md): Week 117: 14 rapid games, 1206 → 1207. With Black (mostly the Pirc Defense Classical Variation) I went 5–2; with White, 2–5.
- [Week 118 (May 2026): a Pirc trap for White my opponent missed](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2026-w20.md): Week 118: 1207 → 1215 in 7 rapid games. My knight walked into a Pirc Defense trap for White, the g4 push, and I got away with it.
- [Week 119 (May 2026): Zukertort Chigorin wins and a +15 week](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2026-w21.md): Week 119: 1215 → 1230 in 6 rapid games. Four wins with zero blunders, including a Zukertort Chigorin Variation mate; all 10 blunders came in two losses.
- [Week 120 (May 2026): a pawn fork, then a Modern Defense win](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2026-w22.md): Week 120: 1230 → 1231 in two rapid games as Black. A pawn fork cost me one; the other beat my highest-rated opponent of the spring.
- [Week 121 (Jun 2026): a winning endgame thrown away](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2026-w23.md): Week 121: 1231 → 1231 in two rapid games. I lost an endgame I was winning by more than five pawns. What it taught me about getting better at endgames.
- [Week 122 (Jun 2026): three games, three double attacks](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2026-w24.md): Week 122: 1231 → 1223 in three rapid games. Each one turned on a double attack, one I missed and two I allowed. How I'm working on chess tactics.
- [Week 123 (Jun 2026): the queen move that allowed mate in two](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2026-w25.md): Week 123: two rapid games on June 17, 1223 → 1223. One blunder each: a flashy queen move that worked, and one that allowed mate in two.
- [Week 124 (Jun 2026): stuck at 1200 despite 83% accuracy](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2026-w27.md): Week 124: 1223 → 1200 in five rapid games, 1 win and 4 losses at 83.3% accuracy. What being stuck at 1200 Elo looks like in my numbers.
- [Week 125: two rapid wins without blunders](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2026-w28.md): Week 125 brought two rapid wins without blunders, four inaccuracies and 92.7% average accuracy, taking my rating from 1200 to 1216.
- [Week 126 (Oct 2026): a Pirc Defense draw I should have won](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/journey/week-2026-w44.md): Week 126: one rapid game, a Pirc Defense draw at 1216 → 1216. I was a bishop up, left it loose, then allowed a perpetual check.

## Data studies

- [LLM chess benchmark: 4 public leaderboards (Oct 2026)](https://thechesscoach.netlify.app/data/llm-chess-benchmark.md): Every public LLM chess benchmark we could verify, with its method, date and top ratings. October 2026 data, with a source on every row.

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