Christopher Repka GM

Hi Christopher,

Congratulations on maintaining a very high Blitz level (current peak: 2910 (2019-12-23)). I have reviewed the set of games you recently played against gcbrndep and would like to share a few targeted ideas that can help you squeeze out a few extra rating points.

1. Opening trends

• With White: You often steer the game into flexible Réti/King’s Indian Attack set-ups (Nf3–g3–Bg2, Bf4 lines). These give you a rich middlegame, but two losses show that early …c5/b5 breaks caught your pieces slightly off-side. • Consider meeting …c5 with c4 more quickly, or delaying Bf4 until the centre is firmly under control. • Spend a session revisiting the thematic pawn breaks d4–d5 and e3–e4 in the Réti-Benoni structure so that you recognise when to seize space.
• With Black: Your Nimzo-Indian (…Bb4/…h5-h4 plans) scores well – see your win in the Keres Variation. The pawn storm is dangerous, but it relies on precise timing. In an engine check, 14…h4?! in the Catalan game gave White tactical chances. A more patient approach (14…Bb7) keeps everything under control.

2. Critical moments worth drilling

Below is an excerpt from your most recent loss. Black’s 21…Rxd4! exploited the overloaded queen on g4 and the pin on the d-file. Make it a habit to do a 10-second tactical sweep before every move in sharp positions.

• Pattern: Overloaded defender on d1 + double attack on bquares. Add similar positions to your personal puzzle set.
• Training drill: Solve 20 “pin & overload” puzzles a day for two weeks. Your conversion rate in fast games will visibly improve.

3. Middlegame & structural decisions

• Pawn levers: Several wins featured the thematic break …d5-d4 (as Black) or d4-d5 (as White). Keep cataloguing these moments; they are your biggest middlegame asset.
• Piece placement: When you reached the Catalan IQP position, the knight detour Ng4–e5 looked tempting but allowed White’s queen to infiltrate. Try the calmer manoeuvre Nd7–f6, keeping the e4-push under surveillance.
• Study the concept of prophylaxis: ask “what does my opponent want?” before launching pawn storms like …h5-h4.

4. Endgame technique

• Your conversion of the 3-vs-2 rook ending in the Queen’s-Gambit game was textbook – well done.
• In the Modern Defence loss you reached an opposite-bishop plus pawns endgame that was drawable with the fortress idea Bc7–d8–e7. Spending one extra tempo earlier on king activity would have made the defence trivial.

5. Time management

Blitz will always require intuition, but you are playing 10-15 moves in “bullet mode” while still holding 2 minutes on the clock. Try the following routine:

1. Use the first 45 seconds to get out of the opening safely.
2. Allocate at least 5 seconds to every critical position (tactics check).
3. Bank time later once the position is simplified.

6. Suggested study plan

• One annotated game daily from the “Nimzo versus Catalan” chapters of Chess Structures by Rios.
• 20 tactical puzzles focused on overloaded defenders and zwischenzugs.
• Weekly sparring session starting from an IQP middlegame  —  15|10 time control.

7. Progress tracker

Keep an eye on your playing patterns:

Keep up the hard work, and feel free to send me any positions that still bother you. Good luck in your next training block!