Ratko Bulajic FM

Hi Ratko,

Congratulations on holding a Bullet peak of 2606 (2024-11-15) and on your recent string of tactical victories. Your games show a creative attacking style and confidence in complicated middlegame positions. Below is some targeted feedback aimed at converting even more of your 1-minute games into wins.

What you already do well

• Consistent Opening Set-ups. Whether you reach the Benoni-type structure as White (d4-c4-g3) or the O’Kelly Sicilian as Black, you usually develop quickly and castle early. This gives you a solid platform for bullet play.
• Tactical Awareness. The finishes against jwcheah and Austinhahaha show sharp calculation under time pressure. Your sense for mating patterns on an exposed back rank is an asset.
• End-Game Technique. In the marathon versus Shakiro you converted a rook-and-pawn ending smoothly despite both clocks flashing. Good job keeping your head when only seconds remain.

Key improvement themes

1. Bullet Time Management

Three of your last five losses were on time. In 1|0 every half-second counts. Try the following:

• Use premoves for forced recaptures. Any automatic reply (e.g. gxf3, Qxd5) should be entered before the opponent moves.
• Play “one-plan” openings. Memorise 15–18 moves of a bullet-friendly line so you can blitz them out and bank time for critical positions.
• Critical glance every 3 moves. When you feel the urge to spend >2 s, ask: “Is there a safe move that keeps the game alive?” Often a solid developing move is all you need.

2. Avoiding Early Structural Damage

Your most recent loss to Mydark96 began to slip after 14…cxb5?! which opened the a- and c- files for White’s rooks.

Whenever you are the one creating pawn weaknesses, ask if you also obtain tempo or piece activity. If not, keep the structure closed and out-bullet your opponent instead.

3. Converting Advantages

In the Tarrasch game against izmirunited you resigned in a worse rook endgame that still had drawing chances. When down material but up on the clock, adopt the mindset “make the opponent prove it” – especially in bullet where nerves decide many results.

4. Opening Refinements

• As White: The c4-g3 Benoni structure is fine, but consider the London System (d4-Bf4) for an easier bullet repertoire. It reduces theory and yields quick piece play.
• As Black versus 1.e4: The O’Kelly (…a6) often leaves your queen’s knight undeveloped. Test the Hyper-Accelerated Dragon (…c5, …g6) – fewer pawn moves, pieces flow out faster.
• Against 1.d4: You alternate between …c6 and …f5 structures. Specialise in one (e.g. the solid Slav) so you recognise recurring tactical motifs instantly.

Training recommendations

1. Bullet tactics sprint: 50 puzzles/day at <30 s each on forks, skewers and back-rank mates.
2. End-game flashcards: Create a set of schematic positions (Lucena, Philidor, opposite-coloured bishops). Recall the winning plan in <5 s; this builds muscle memory for bullet.
3. Micro-blitz sessions: Play 20 games of ½|0 then analyse only the first blunder you made in each. Pattern recognition improves fastest when you focus on the earliest mistake.

Weekly performance snapshots

These charts will help you spot when you play your best chess:

Glossary refresh

Keep revisiting key ideas such as zwischenzug and zugzwang so they appear automatically in your bullet calculations.

Next steps

Focus on the three bullet pillars: speed, structure, and simplicity. Combine your natural tactical flair with a leaner repertoire and sharper clock management, and you’ll punch through the 2600 barrier soon.

Good luck and good speed on the board!