Gregory Kilishek

What went well in your recent blitz games

You demonstrated positive qualities in dynamic, tactical settings. Key strengths include:

• Ability to keep the pressure on in sharp positions, creating practical problems for your opponent to solve under time pressure.
• Resilience in defense and willingness to enter complex endgames when the position required precise handling of material and activity.
• Good willingness to fight for activity and to convert small advantages into practical chances, especially when your pieces coordinate on open files and diagonals.

Key areas to improve

• Time management in blitz: try to establish a simple, clear plan for the first 15 moves and stick to it, so you don’t get into time trouble during complex middlegames.
• Opening choices and transitions: in blitz, a solid, predictable path often yields more reliable middlegames. Consider focusing on 1-2 openings you know well and that lead to safe development and king safety.
• Decision quality in critical moments: when there are multiple tactical options, pause for a quick check of material balance, threats, and king safety before committing to a line.
• Endgame technique: practice common rook and king endings, especially those that arise after exchanges, so you can convert favorable endings more consistently.
• Pattern recognition under pressure: invest time in puzzles that emphasize forks, pins, skewers, and back-rank ideas to improve your instinct for these motifs in real games.

Openings and transition notes

Your games show a preference for sharp, unbalanced play that can yield practical chances in blitz. To minimize risky moments, consider reinforcing a couple of solid, straightforward lines in your main openings so you reach clean middlegames quickly. When you do commit to tactical展开, aim to simplify when ahead or reduce unnecessary complications if you’re running low on time.

Recommended practice plan

• Blitz-focused drills: 3–4 short sessions per week using a fixed opening system, followed by a quick post-game review to identify the moment you could have played more calmly.
• Endgame training: dedicate 15 minutes a couple of times per week to rook-and-king endings and basic two-rook endings to improve conversion.
• Time management practice: work on short, timed puzzles (5–10 minutes) to improve quick evaluation and reduce hesitation at critical moments.
• Post-game annotation: after each blitz session, annotate one key decision from each game and write down an alternative plan you could have attempted.
• Plan a steadier opening repertoire: choose 1–2 solid options and master their typical middlegame plans, then gradually add a secondary system for variety.

Next steps

If you’d like, I can tailor a 4-week, focused training outline around your most common opponents and time control, with targeted puzzles and specific openings to practice. Just share any details you want me to prioritize.