Hi Alexandros!
Your dynamic style is a pleasure to watch and has already taken you to 2887 (2025-06-17). Below you’ll find a mix of praise and very specific improvement ideas drawn from your last session.
What you are already doing exceptionally well
- Resourceful defence & counter-punching. The comeback win against Kevin Qin is textbook: you absorbed early pressure, kept the position fluid, and finished with the elegant 106…Rg5#.
- Practical end-game technique. Even with seconds on the clock you convert rook endings calmly (e.g. 72.Rg8+ vs mishanick).
- Consistent opening choices. Your Reti / Nimzo-Larsen systems (1 Nf3, 2 b3, 3 Bb2) reliably deliver a playable middlegame – perfect for blitz.
Three themes to raise the ceiling
1. King safety before flank pawn storms
In several losses (vs LevonAronian, RantomOpening) you launched g- and h-pawns while your king was still in the centre/queenside. The result was …h5/…g5 hooks and a forced retreat.
- Finish development (at least three minors out) before pushing both flank pawns.
- If you do push early, meet Black’s …h5 with h4–h5 yourself and keep the g-file closed.
- Consider Kf1 or Kb1 as a fast “manual castle” when castling is delayed.
2. Updating your anti-Ragozin solution
In the resign-early game versus Levon Aronian the sequence 6.e3 h6 7.Bxf6 Qxf6 8.Qa4+ led to …g5/…h5. Two calmer alternatives score well at top level:
- 6.Nf3 (ignoring the pin) followed by Rc1/Be2, castling, and only then Qa4.
- 6.Qa4+ Nc6 7.e3 with Bh4 ready if …h6.
Pick one line, build a mini-file, and drill it with the opening explorer for a single evening—your next games will feel easier.
3. Conversion speed when clearly winning
Even in victories you sometimes repeat moves (22.Re7–Re6–Re7) or chase side pawns instead of centralising the king. Less drama means more time for the next round!
- Two-pawn edge? Trade one pair of rooks immediately and march the king.
- Study 15 examples of rook + knight vs rook to make mating nets like 106…Rg5# automatic.
Clock management tip
Try the “0-30 rule”: never spend more than 30 seconds total before move 15; from move 35 onward keep two increments in reserve.
Concrete exercise
Replay the critical phase of the loss to RantomOpening and find an improvement for White on move 31 (your Ne4 allowed …Qe7!).
Your performance dashboard
Quick snapshots of when you score best:
Next-month checklist (one item per week)
- Add 1.Nf3 d5 2.e3 as a surprise weapon to avoid early …c5 strikes.
- Review 50 positions with an IQP from both colours.
- Solve 100 end-game studies starting with rook vs minor piece.
Keep the attacking flair, solidify the king, and 2900+ will be within reach. Good luck in the next Titled Tuesday!