Chess Coaching Advice for FM Grigory Ponomarenko

Coach Chesswick

What you’re doing well in blitz

You show a willingness to choose dynamic, tactical routes in your openings (for example, you’re comfortable stepping into sharp lines from the Caro-Kann family and various Sicilian branches). This helps you create practical chances even when the position is imbalanced.
You have the ability to press when you gain initiative. When you generate activity with your pieces, you keep the opponent under pressure and force decisions they must address under time constraints.
You’re capable of moving into complex middlegame positions where your pieces coordinate actively (central and king-side pressure, active rooks, and well-placed minor pieces). This often yields practical winning chances in blitz.

Time management and pacing in blitz. Aim to allocate thinking time more evenly across the critical early-midgame transitions to avoid time pressure that leads to errors later.
Quality of initial moves and prophylaxis. In some games, premature or over-ambitious moves can invite counterplay or tactical traps. Favor solid developing moves that keep your pieces connected and reduce tactical risk when you’re short on time.
Endgame conversion. When the position simplifies, practice converting advantages with precise technique, especially in rook and minor-piece endgames where activity can beat material deficits.
Opening consistency. Your openings show strength in several lines, but blitz tends to reward quick, principled plans. Focus on 2–3 core lines that lead to recognizable middlegame plans rather than overly theoretical branches.
Post-game review habit. After each blitz game, identify one turning point and one concrete improvement you can apply in the next game. A 5–10 minute focused review is very effective in blitz growth.

Based on your openings performance, here’s a pragmatic approach to strengthen blitz results without getting bogged down in theory:

Lean on Caro-Kann as a reliable, solid starting point for 1 e4. It tends to lead to smooth, controllable middlegames where you can outplay opponents in the middlegame or endgame if the position simplifies.
For Sicilian ambitions, consider focusing on Najdorf-related setups that give you clear, practical middlegame plans and tactical opportunities if your opponent overextends. The Najdorf shows potential when you know the typical pawn structures and piece activity patterns.
Avoid highly theoretical lines that demand exact. memorized moves in blitz; instead, prioritize positions with straightforward plans (activating rooks on open files, central control, and piece coordination) that you can execute quickly.
Develop a short, reliable set of typical middlegame plans for each main opening line you use (e.g., in Caro-Kann: how you place your light-squared bishop, knight patrols on central squares, and how you handle break chances in the center; in Najdorf: typical pawn breaks and where your pieces belong in common structures).

Daily: solve 10 tactical puzzles focused on common blitz motifs (forks, pins, discovered attacks, back-rank themes).
Twice weekly: 45-minute focused opening study, picking 2 core lines (one Caro-Kann family line and one Najdorf setup) and outlining a simple middlegame plan for each.
Weekly: review 2 recent blitz games (your own or high-quality games you admire). Identify one critical turn and one improvement to apply next game.
Weekly: practice 1 endgame session (rook endgames or rook + minor piece endings) using a small set of rule-based conversions to improve technique in simplified positions.
Daily: quick 5-minute time-management drill between moves during normal practice games (set a timer to encourage faster, but still careful, decision-making in the first 15 moves).

Lock in a 2-line blitz repertoire: one Caro-Kann line for 1 e4, plus one Najdorf-based plan for dynamic play. Practice these in rapid practice games to build familiarity and speed.
Implement a 5–10 minute post-game review routine after every blitz session: identify one mistake to avoid and one positive idea to repeat.
In games where you sense time pressure, look for two safe developing moves and one forcing plan you can execute quickly, rather than chasing speculative tactical shots.
Use endgame practice to improve conversion: pick rook-endgames with pawns and run through a few standard techniques (gaining opposition, simplifying to favorable rook endings) so you can finish ahead when material is equal.