Six holes in my bucket

 My previous tournament back in december lead to a clear conclusion: my weakest point was making plans for the endgame, followed by a lack of  knowledge (skill) of endgame specific tactics. (promotion, sacrifices, key squares, zugzwang, fortress, stalemate, trebuchet et cetera). Expected benefit from specific endgame training: 150 points. Back in December I performed miserably, and I ended up in a lot of endings which were generally better or equal, and I screwed them all up, spilling half points all over the shop.

In May this year I made a discovery about the best method of training for any skill (discovery of The Trick). I decided to swallow my pride and gave up the idea to focus on endgame planning for the moment. Instead I wanted to prove my ideas about the Trick. Proof is more important than rating points.

The past tournament this July showed that the Trick is usable and decisive for each and every game. In all my wins (4 times), my losses (3 times) and my draws (2 times) the Trick was the most decisive ingredient. In all games except one I got the initiative from the start  The losses were caused by an opponent who did the Trick better than me or by me failing at the Trick. The two draws showed a miraculous Houdini-like escape by me, followed by a better endgame which I was too lazy to screw up.

I realize that most discoveries that I find captivating are not at all engaging for my readers. So I will limit myself to the highlights.

Areas of improvement

• Tactics overall
• Planning at start of the middlegame
• Endgame planning

Tactics overall

I got a good picture how my tactics compare to equal rated opponents.I filled most holes and I notice that my opponents start to become scared of my tactical prowess. Between December and July I did the following:

• I repeated 400 tactics and 300 mates "old school"
• I learned 200 new tactics according to the new "Trick" method

I guess that when I redo my old school tactics in accordance with the Trick and add another new 900 tactics/mates to it, I can outperform any player below 2000 tactically.

Planning at start of the middlegame

This is the most important discovery. I lack knowledge and skill in this area. General tactical skill is of no use when you follow the wrong plan. The plans in this area (which exchanges to make, which pawn structure to strive for, improving piece activity, restraining the opponents pieces, provoking weaknesses, pawn breaks et cetera) have their own specific tactics which are not governed by general tactics.

Endgame planning

That I am bad at this was already clear from the penultimate tournament. A new discovery is that Capablanca is was wrong. You shouldn't start with the endgame. Because you need energy and time to play the endgame well. So you must play the previous stages of the game well, otherwise you arrive with a lack of energy and time at the endgame.

So the tournament was a great success because it provides the necessary proof and guidance how to proceed.

Furthermore I must reconsider the amount of games I want to play in a tournament. 9 games (most of them 4-5 hours) plus 4 hours travel time is pretty straining, both mentally and physically.