Artem Alek Fedorov CM

Quick summary

Nice stretch — your form in blitz is trending upward and you're converting complicated positions into wins regularly. You show a strong feel for dynamic pawn breaks and piece activity, and you already have a clear opening you can lean on in serious short games (Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Gipslis Variation).

What you're doing well

• Playing for initiative: you consistently steer the game into sharp, unbalanced positions where your active pieces and tactical awareness create concrete chances.
• Seizing practical chances in time trouble: many wins come from playing the pressing side when the opponent is low on clock.
• Opening weapons that work — you have a high win rate with the Kan/Gipslis line (Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Gipslis Variation), and several other Sicilian/Alapin lines where you score above average.
• Cleaning up endgames: when the position simplifies, you convert — your mating/finish technique in winning games is sharp (see the mate sequence in a recent win).

Main areas to improve

• King safety / back-rank awareness: your most recent loss shows a classic back-rank finish against you — make luft for the king (pawn or piece lift) or watch for tactical sacrifices that open files to your king. Small prophylactic moves save games in blitz.
• Opening consistency: some Sicilian lines (Taimanov / general Sicilian umbrella) give you trouble. Either tighten the move-order/novelties or replace them with lines you already score well with (lean into the Kan where practical).
• Transitions and trade decisions: decide earlier whether you want complications or simplification. Against strong defenders, simplify when you have a clear technical edge; keep pieces when the position promises tactics.
• Time management: several games go to very low seconds. Practice keeping a 10–20s buffer midgame: think on critical moments, but avoid move-by-move panic moves in the final minute.

Concrete feedback from the loss vs Zarina Nurgaliyeva

Short version: the final tactic (Rh8 mate) was allowed because the g-file/ back rank got overloaded and your king had no escape square. Key takeaways:

• Watch queens and rooks on open files leading to your king — the opponent's queen + rook coordination on the kingside produced decisive threats.
• When giving up a pawn in front of your king (or allowing a pawn break), check for discovered checks and back-rank mates first.
• Simple prophylaxis: create a luft (pawn move or a knight/rook lift) as soon as you see your back rank threatened, even if it costs a tempo — it's often cheaper than mate.

Replay the final sequence to internalize the pattern:

Opening adjustments — practical plan

• Double down on the Kan/Gipslis: you score very well here — make a 10–15 minute weekly review of your most common opponent replies and one quick novelties list (5–10 moves deep).
• For the Taimanov and other lower-performing Sicilians, either: (a) find a safe, easy-to-play line inside them where you understand the plans, or (b) avoid them in your blitz lineup and choose an opening with higher ROI (the Kan/Alapin lines).
• Prepare simple move-order traps and one anti-setup for players who try to sidestep your prep — aim for positions you know the plans for, not just memorized moves.

Useful link: study the key ideas of Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Gipslis Variation and add two typical middlegame plans to your notes (pawn breaks, rook lifts, knight outposts).

Training plan for the next 4 weeks

• Daily (15–20 minutes): tactics — focus on mating patterns, pins, overload, and back-rank themes. Blitz losses often stem from missing these motifs.
• 3× per week (30 minutes): opening work — 1 hour weekly on the Kan/Gipslis and 45 minutes fixing one weak Sicilian line (Taimanov). Make short annotated lines with typical plans.
• 2× per week (20 minutes): endgame/back-rank drills — practice rook+pawn endgames, basic mating nets, and creating luft under pressure.
• Play 10–15 rapid games (10|5 or 15|10) per week to practice technique with a small increment — this reduces flagging and trains thinking in critical moments.

Quick checklist to use during blitz

• Before any pawn capture near your king: look for a discovered check or final mate pattern.
• When down to < 20 seconds: avoid complicated trades unless winning; aim for simplifying or safe defense.
• If you see your opponent heading to a known tactical idea, spend the extra second to calculate the forcing line — many blitz games turn on one forced sequence.
• Keep one escape square for your king or plan a rook lift to create luft proactively.

Positive outlook & next steps

Your recent upward trend is real — keep focusing on pattern recognition (tactics and back-rank mate motifs) and spend targeted time on the openings that already score well for you. With a small training dose each week and a few habit changes in blitz, you should keep turning that strength-adjusted win rate into a persistent rating increase.

If you want, I can:

• Make a 2-week opening packet (main lines + common traps) for your Kan and the Taimanov fixes.
• Generate a 7-day tactics set focused on back-rank and overload themes.