Naperville, Illinois - James Neal (2246) to (2230)
My recent tournament performance wasn't what I hoped for, mainly due to struggles with my calculation efficiency. In the final round before withdrawing, I faced A. Dmitriev (2061). Even with a good opening and a decent advantage, I got reckless in the late middle game.
I spent way too long analyzing one position, trying to find the perfect move. I knew I needed to be precise, but I got lost in the details. I even missed a key move (32.h5! Which I was considering a few moves prior) because I rushed into another one (Ra1). I knew my relaxed commitment to training my calculations was bound to catch up to me…
This experience was a wake-up call. I need a more balanced training routine, which I've already started. I'm feeling good about showing off my improved calculation skills in the next tournament in Minnesota on September 13th (~ 2 weeks). Plus, I've been getting all my training done before breakfast – it's been surprisingly helpful!
Even though my rating took a hit (2246 to 2230), I'm determined to get back on track and crush my future opponents.