Benjamin J Katz NM

Feedback for Benjamin J Katz

What you are already doing well

• Opening variety. With the White pieces you alternate between classical main-lines (e.g. 1.e4-d4 structures) and surprise weapons such as 2.Qf3/2.Qg3 in the King’s-Pawn Opening. As Black you show comfort in both Pirc set-ups (…d6 …g6) and solid queen-pawn defences (…d5, Slav structures). This flexibility makes you difficult to prepare for.
• Tactical alertness. Games such as the win versus hehehehehehahw feature crisp shots (24.Rxd5!, 25.Qxf6!) that exploit loose pieces and overloaded defenders. Even in time scrambles you spot one-move tactics quickly.
• Nerve in Zeitnot. Seven of your last ten wins were decided on the clock. You keep posing problems and rarely panic when both sides are under 10 seconds.

Recurring issues to address

• Time management. Relying on flagging cuts both ways: three recent losses (e.g. vs cardenasdavid_2005 and qwerreqwerre) happened with material near equality but the clock against you. Aim to reach move 25 with at least 40 % of your initial time.
• End-game conversion. In the loss to android_10 you entered a rook-and-pawn ending objectively drawn, yet a single pawn push allowed mate. Build a habit of stopping-to-calculate when pieces come off the board, even if you feel “winning on the clock” is easier.
• Loose king in attacking set-ups. Your favourite h-pawn thrusts (h4–h5) create initiative, but when they fail you often lack luft. The 24…Qa1# miniature against insatiable27 started with an ambitious g-pawn storm but ended with your king boxed in. Keep an eye on the back-rank flight square after launching pawns.
• Central tension in Owen’s Defence loss. After 17…d5 you allowed …Rxc5/…Rfc8 and Black seized every open file. When you have an IQP or isolated pawn, remember the typical counter-play plan: piece activity before pawn pushes.

Action plan for the next two weeks

1. Clock awareness drill. Play five 5|5 games where your only goal is to keep ≥60 seconds after move 20. Do not sacrifice accuracy; simply allocate time consciously.
2. End-game mini-sessions. Each day solve three rook-and-pawn studies from 365Chess (filter “technical wins/draws”). Focus on the Philidor and Lucena techniques and the concept of the triangulation manoeuvre.
3. Safe-king checklist. Before every pawn storm ask: “Can I create luft? Are opposite bishops on the board? Can the opponent swing a rook with tempo?” If any answer is “yes”, delay the pawn push by one move to insert a safety improvement (Kg1/h3, …Kh7/…g6, etc.).
4. Review critical games. Load the following moments into your analysis board:
   • Loss vs qwerreqwerre, after 22…R5c7 – find a plan that keeps the c-file closed.
   • Win vs itamar000, after 24…Rg8+ – investigate cleaner paths rather than playing for the flag. (
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At-a-glance stats

Peak rapid rating: 2267 (2021-11-09)

Motivation corner

“Good positions don’t win games—good moves do.” Keep sharpening those moves, and the positions (and the clock) will follow!

See you at the board, and good luck in your next match against itamar000!