I chose a random game:
https://www.chess.com/game/live/122718471796?username=nicolbaus&move=25
1st off your opponent played well.
Opening tip: I prefer to challenge the Ruy Lopez Bishop right away. 3..h6 4.bxc6 exc6 and you go later (if you want to... it's optional) - f6 (to make your center rock solid). That's the benefit of not having a Knight on f6 (2.Nf6, the Berlin). And if White retreats as most people do take a look at the main lines in the Morphy, it's kindof simple IMO.
After the opening has resolved and White shows his cards, he gives up his bishop to damage the pawn structure a bit but also opens your Queen. Generally this Exchange Ruy is considered quite harmless, but Bobby Fischer liked it cuz it's imbalanced and drawish and the better player can slowly out play... and many like it.
I think a Bishop is a Bishop, and if White gives it up, that's good for Black.
So at this moment where Bxc6 happens, you have to come up with a plan. I'm not sure O-O-O is actually the best, I go O-O-O most times I have such a pawn structure... It's kindof fun to have 4 pawns in front of your king... I think the plan of O-O-O works because if White castles short you just attack him with your pawns and put the rooks there and have a good time (like what your opponent did to you!)... If White goes Queenside and tries something like what he did in the game that's pointless because your king isn't there...
I might be wrong and O-O is fine, but definitely you didn't have a plan. So... You gave your opponent "your address", by castling short before you needed to.
It's good as a beginner to castle early but atleast try to find which side is best, and actually, some times it's fine to just leave the king in the center so long as you can castle both ways and you are sure you're not exposing it to any tactics.
So general tip from this game; you should think of plans, where do you castle and how does that affect who is attacking where... and don't castle early when your opponent hasn't committed (Unless of course, it's theory, and then probably you will be getting a concrete lead in development by castling very early)
Your opponent waited until you gave the address and did a caveman attack to the address you gave him... And then when the lines are open in front of your king he did find some nice tactics...
Well played.
Hey everyone, I've been stuck around 850 against elo and can't seem to break past it. No matter how much I try to improve, I keep making mistakes or missing key moves that cost me the game.
I've been reviewing my games, but I’d love some insights from more experienced players. If anyone has tips on common mistakes at this level or things I should focus on, I’d really appreciate it!
Feel free to check out my games and let me know what you think. Thanks in advance!