Aswath S IM

Hi Aswath S., here’s a quick performance debrief from your latest 1-minute games

What you’re doing really well

• Explosive starts: Your first 10 moves often create immediate imbalance (…Nd4 in the Bishop’s Opening, …g6/…Nh5 vs Vienna). That keeps lower-rated opponents on the back foot and converts into quick wins.
• Tactical alertness under time pressure: The wins vs 2700-2800 opponents show you can calculate & move faster than most. Converting the French Defense game in only 40 moves with seconds on the clock is a good example.
• Confidence to exchange queens early: Several victories came from simplifying into favorable endings instead of forcing mate. Good practical decision in bullet.

Key growth areas

• Early king safety when you play White. The miniature against Andrew Tang (see board below) highlights a recurring issue: leaving f2 unprotected in Vienna-type positions. In bullet it’s lethal because you get mated and lose time.
• “Hold the move” moments. Two of the five recent losses were on time despite a drawable or winning position. A quick premove or incremental move (e.g. h4/h5 stall) would have secured the half-point.
• Over-pressing equal endgames. In the Reti vs Renato Terry you declined multiple repetitions and pushed a lost pawn race. Convert the better bullet rule: drawn endgames are wins against the clock.
• Black vs c3-Sicilian (Alapin). Zhigalko’s 9.Qb3 line shows discomfort when your queen is chased. Update your move order (…e6 before …Qa5, or the pure …Nf6 & …d6 set-up).

Concrete action plan for the next 100 games

1. Patch the Vienna trap
   Memorise: 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6! (not 2…Bc5) 3.f4 d5 or 3.Nf3 Nc6 and always meet 3…Qh4+ with g3. Fifteen minutes with an engine will pay off immediately.
2. Pre-set three “neutral” premoves you can play instantly when low on time (Kg2, h3, a3). Practise them in unrated games so they’re second nature.
3. Endgame alert: If you’re ≤3 s vs ≥5 s and the position is level, force a repetition. Make that a conscious rule.
4. Alapin antidote: Add the solid line
   1…c5 2.c3 Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.Bc4 Nb6 7.Bb3 d6.
   It avoids early queen sorties completely.

Illustrative board snapshots

1. The five-move loss vs penguingm1 (fix this first!)

2. Nice tactical shot you can repeat (…Nd4 fork in the Bishop’s Opening)

Stats & trends

• Your current 2955 (2025-08-09) is impressive—closing in on 3000.
• Win rate spikes after 21:00 UTC:
  
• Fridays are your most successful day:
  

Quick glossary

Need a refresher on any terms? Hover any blue link, e.g. Alapin or premove.

Keep the games coming, and remember: in bullet, the clock is your 17th piece.
–CoachBot