Pascal Barzen FM

Hi Pascal, here’s some focused feedback to take your game to the next level

1. Results at a glance

• Your recent run features a string of convincing wins punctuated by a few sharp losses.
• Peak so far: 2700 (2020-10-19) – keep an eye on that milestone.
• Performance trends:

2. Opening choices – play to your strengths

• With Black you rely heavily on the Caro-Kann and various English/Indian set-ups. The structures suit your positional feel, but opponents have started steering you into sharp sidelines (e.g. 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bf4 b6 → London hybrid in the loss to Valentin Goikhman).
• Suggestion: prepare a concrete antidote to early h4/h5 pawn storms in the Closed Sicilian and to the London’s Bf4/e3/c3 setup. A quick study of the ...c5 break in the London and the ...d5/...f5 ideas vs. g3 Sicilians will pay immediate dividends.
• With White you score well in English/Closed Sicilian lines but occasionally drift when the centre cracks open. Try revisiting themes of central pawn breaks (d5 break) and piece activity after you’ve expanded on the wings.

3. Critical moment review

Below is a snapshot from your latest win showing excellent tactical alertness after 38...Qxf3:

• Good calculation and time management here – you kept pressure even with seconds left.
• Try to replicate this decisiveness earlier in quieter positions instead of waiting for tactics to appear.

4. End-game handling

• Your win vs. breadcrumps displayed clean conversion of an extra exchange – well done.
• Conversely, the marathon loss to trollingg showed hesitation in a drawn rook + pawn ending. Practical tip: when low on time, remember activity over material – cut the enemy king first, then push pawns.

5. Practical improvements for the coming week

1. Pick one critical line versus the London and one versus the Closed Sicilian; drill 10 sample games each.
2. Daily 10-minute tactic session focused on defensive motifs (interpositions, perpetuals) – the area most responsible for recent losses.
3. Play two 15 + 10 games and annotate them, paying special attention to transitioning advantages (opening → middlegame → end-game).

6. Mindset & scheduling

Your best win rate occurs mid-afternoon; try to cluster serious games there and do lighter training during off-peak hours. Small habit tweaks (quick blunder-check before every move) will save you 2-3 points per game.

Keep up the good work!

You’re clearly on an upward trajectory. Implementing the targeted adjustments above should see you breach the next rating band soon. Enjoy the journey and remember to balance study with practical play.