Karol Kacprzak FM

Overview of your recent blitz play

You showed a readiness to tackle sharp, dynamic positions in the blitz format, particularly in Sicilian structures. In the latest decisive game, you handled a complex middlegame with active piece play and tactical chances, which you converted to a win. Your willingness to press and complicate the position is a strong asset in fast time controls.

What you are doing well

• You handle aggressive Sicilian setups with confidence, creating immediate tension and chances for both sides to complicate the position.
• Your piece activity stays active through the middlegame, often using open files and timely exchanges to keep the initiative.
• You show resilience in complex lines and can convert pressure into material gains when the attack stays coherent.
• You have demonstrated solid endgame resilience and the ability to steer toward favorable simplifications when opportunities arise.

Areas to improve

• Knight and rook coordination in sharp openings: after the initial tactical skirmish, [aim to solidify your piece harmony and avoid premature exchanges that simplify into equal or worse endings for you]. In blitz, it’s easy to chase a tactical shot; try to confirm a concrete plan for every forcing sequence you pursue.
• King safety and structure in aggressive setups: when you push pawns or commit to a kingside attack, make sure there is a clear defense plan and your king’s safety isn’t left vulnerable to sudden counterplay.
• Endgame conversion: practice rook-and-pawn endgames and minor-piece endgames so you can convert advantages more consistently, especially in positions where material is balanced but the position still favors you.
• Time-management discipline: in rapid blitz, consider a simple prioritzation routine (develop, king safety, and a concrete plan) to avoid spending too long on moves that don’t change the evaluation.

Opening choices and how to study them

Your openings show comfort with sharp Sicilian lines (such as Najdorf-related structures) and solid lines like Caro-Kann. This gives you dynamic chances, but also some variability in outcomes. Consider building a concise two-repertoire approach for blitz: a single, reliable reply to 1.e4 (with a clear middlegame plan) and a flexible reply to 1.d4. This reduces decision fatigue in fast games and helps you reach your preferred middlegame positions more consistently.

Practice plan for the next two weeks

• Daily tactics: solve 15–20 puzzles focusing on forcing lines and quick pattern recognition to improve calculation speed.
• Endgame drills: work on rook endings and rook-and-pawn endings to improve conversion in late middlegame scenarios.
• Post-game review: after each blitz session, pick 2–3 moments you could improve and write a short note on a better plan or alternative move you could have chosen.
• Time-management routine: develop a quick pre-move checklist (develop pieces, ensure king safety, assess opponent threats) to keep a steady pace in time trouble.
• Opening study: watch short focused videos or read a few pages on one Najdorf idea and one Caro-Kann idea, then test them in 2–3 practice blitz games.

Encouragement and next steps

You’re clearly making progress in blitz, with positive performance trends in recent months. Keep sharpening your tactical intuition, strengthen your endgames, and maintain a steady, simple opening plan in time pressure. With consistent practice, you’ll convert more of those sharp middlegames into wins and sustain solid results across blitz sessions.