Sample weekly plan
Loose pieces after exchanges
This sample shows the EloNotes loop: one original game moment, the repeated pattern behind it, daily reflective practice, and a next-game focus you can actually use.
Repeated pattern this week
Your captures are active, but the recaptures are leaving pieces loose.
Across four games, the same thing happened: you calculated the first forcing move, won a tempo, then stopped before checking what your opponent could attack after the trade settled.
Original game moment against RapidPlayer742
You played Nxd5. The capture wins a pawn if the position freezes there. It does not freeze. After the recapture, your rook is loose and your king has no useful tempo.
Daily reflection prompt
After each game this week, answer: where did the exchange theme appear, did you notice it before moving, and what would you try next time?
Draft source
6 recent rapid games
Engine signal
4 recurring exchange errors
Daily practice
5 short positions
Engine-backed
Reflection-led
Next-game ready
Daily practice plan
Your 5-12 minute assignment
- Review the original position and name what would become undefended after the recapture.
- Solve five exchange-sequence positions where the first capture is tempting but the final position matters.
- After your next game, mark every moment where you considered a capture and answer the daily reflection prompt.
Next-game focus
Before every capture this week, pause once and ask: after they recapture, what of mine is undefended? Your goal is not to calculate forever. It is to look one move longer after the obvious capture.
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