ArbresPourpres NM

Hi ArbresPourpres! 📈 Quick Performance Snapshot

• Current peak (Blitz): 2082 (2014-07-22)
• Activity heat-maps:

What you already do well ✅

• Tactical instincts – your wins in the Three-Knights (14.Bf7+!) and Panov Caro-Kann show confident calculation and an eye for forcing lines.
• Piece activity over material – you don’t mind returning pawns (e.g. 13.Qb3! in your recent win) to keep the initiative.
• Practical opening repertoire as Black – the Caro-Kann has served you well; you often reach middlegames you understand better than your opponents.
• Endgame technique when ahead – the …d-pawn relay in your Panov victory was handled smoothly, showing good conversion skills.

Growth opportunities 🔍

• King safety after flank pawn pushes – the early g-pawn (Van der Wiel & Pirc losses) left dark-square weaknesses. Add the reflex “How does g-pawn forward affect f3/f6 and my king?” before committing.
• Time-management in bullet – your only recent “loss” was on the clock in a drawable ending. In 60-second games favour pre-move-friendly plans (push passed pawns, keep checks) instead of deep searches.
• Defensive alertness – in the Slav defeat you overlooked 37…Rh1# after …Bf4+. Training a daily dose of “Defend the position” puzzles will raise your tactical radar when under pressure.
• Transition choices – exchanging into queenless middlegames with long pawn chains (e.g. Pirc loss, move 22 …Qxc2+) left you worse. Ask “Whose minor pieces improve if queens come off?” before simplifying.

Opening tweaks 📚

• As White, consider adding a solid “anti-…c6/d5” line (e.g. the Two Knights Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Nc3) so you are not forced into the sharp g4 plans every game.
• As Black, vs. 1.d4 keep the same Caro-Kann spirit with the Slav but study typical tactics around Nb5/Nd6 to avoid the trap from your loss.

Middlegame focus 🔗

• Practice prophylaxis (prophylaxis) – before each move, list your opponent’s threats. It would have saved you from 31…Rh1#.
• Add the concept of the zwischenzug (zwischenzug) to your checklist; several times a forcing intermediate move could have won even faster (see diagram below).

Illustrative mini-lesson

From the Slav loss – instead of 30…h6?! try 30…Rb4! hitting b2 and keeping your king safer. One possible continuation:

Note how you keep material equality and avoid the mating net.

Endgame checklist ♟️

1. Activate the king early (you did this well in the Panov win – keep it up!).
2. Count tempos: if the race is close, push the furthest pawn sooner to force your opponent’s king to the back rank.
3. Remember the opposition principle (opposition) in king-and-pawn endings; a 5-minute drill each week is enough to stay sharp.

6-Week Training Plan 🗓️

Final encouragement 🌱

Your tactical sharpness and fighting spirit are clear strengths; pairing them with just a bit more defensive mindfulness and clock discipline will easily push you past your current peak. Enjoy the journey and keep those Purple Trees growing!