Sandor Balogh FM

Hi Sandor!

Great job steadily keeping your blitz rating in the 2100-2200 range and even notching wins against higher-rated opponents (2151 (2025-05-28)). Below is a breakdown of what you are already doing well and what can help you climb to the next bracket.

What is working

• Initiative-oriented style. You are always looking for ways to seize space and activity (e.g. 18.h4!! in your win vs. Permanent_Brain).
• Tactical alertness when you have time. Many wins come from spotting intermediate moves such as 24.Rxh6! (same game) or 32.Bxe6+ in your victory over alaimocristian.
• Healthy opening mix. With White you play both the Alapin and Scotch-type positions; as Black you alternate between the Scandinavian and several Sicilian lines. This keeps opponents out of book.

Recurring improvement themes

1. Time management. Four of the five recent losses were on the clock. The pattern is a sharp middlegame, then blitzing only when under 20 seconds. Try a simple habit:
   • Do a time check every 10 moves (set your brain’s “clock alarm”).
   • If you are under 2:00 before move 15, spend the next 3 moves playing quick, safe developing moves to rebuild the buffer.
2. Avoiding “hero” moves when position is equal. Example: Bercel-Visioneer: 16.Ne4? dropped the queen. [[Pgn| 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.c3 dxc3 5.Nxc3 Nf6 6.Bc4 e6 7.Qe2 Be7 8.O-O O-O 9.Rd1 Qa5 10.Bf4 Rd8 11.Rac1 a6 12.Bb3 Nc6 13.e5 dxe5 14.Nxe5 Nxe5 15.Bxe5 Bd7 16.Ne4? Qxe5 0-1]] Add a quick blunder-check before playing a flashy move: “What is my opponent’s simplest reply?”
3. Endgame conversion. In the loss to Eichborn you were up an exchange but let the passed g-pawn queen while low on time. A weekly 30-minute session on basic rook-endgame technique (Lucena, Philidor, & ‘Vancura’ Lucena Position) will pay off quickly.

Opening notes (quick fixes, not an overhaul)

Action plan for the next two weeks

• Play two 10 + 5 rapid games per day, forcing yourself to manage time; analyse without engine first, then with engine.
• Daily: 20 mixed tactics with the rule “no move in <20 seconds.”
• Three endgame flashcards each session (start with rook vs. pawn).
• Upload one annotated game per week to your coach or a study group for feedback.

Progress trackers

Use these dashboards to make sure the training is working:

Keep it fun!

Maintain your dynamic style—it is your competitive edge. By adding a little clock discipline and tightening the bolt on a few critical opening traps, you should be eyeing 2300 very soon.

Good luck and enjoy the grind!
– Your Chess Coach