# Coaching Journal

Automatic record of chess theory discussions, decisions, and actions taken.

Last updated: 2026-03-15

## By Opening

### White — Queen's Gambit

| Date | Topic | Status | Key Takeaway |
|------|-------|--------|-------------|
| 2026-03-15 | [Budapest Gambit](topics/2026-03-15-budapest-gambit.md) | resolved | Know Rubinstein (4.Bf4) + Fajarowicz traps. Added to repertoire. |

### Black vs e4 — Scandinavian

*No discussions yet.*

### Black vs d4 — Slav

| Date | Topic | Status | Key Takeaway |
|------|-------|--------|-------------|
| 2026-03-15 | [English Opening response](topics/2026-03-15-english-opening-response.md) | resolved | Play 1...c6 (not 1...d5) vs 1.c4 — Slav transposition in all lines |

### General / Style

| Date | Topic | Status | Key Takeaway |
|------|-------|--------|-------------|
| 2026-03-15 | [Pawn push tendency](topics/2026-03-15-pawn-push-tendency.md) | active | d4+c4 is the right balance; avoid overextension (3+ central pawns without development) |

### General / Tooling

| Date | Topic | Status | Key Takeaway |
|------|-------|--------|-------------|
| 2026-03-15 | [En-Croissant role](topics/2026-03-15-en-croissant-role.md) | resolved | Optional — Lichess Study replaces it. Workflow simplified to 2 zones. |

## Principles Learned

1. **Central pawns need piece support** — d4+c4 is strong when followed by Nc3, Nf3, Bf4. Pushing e4/f4 too early without development = overextension.
2. **Know the traps in your opening move order** — 2.c4 after 1.d4 is almost always correct, but know the Budapest (2...e5) and Albin (after 1...d5 2.c4 e5).
3. **Simplify the toolchain** — if a tool's role is fully replaced by another, remove it from the mandatory workflow. Keep it as optional.
4. **Adapt your move order to the opponent's first move** — 1...d5 works against almost everything, but against 1.c4 play 1...c6 first to ensure Slav transpositions.
