Benik Agasarov FM

Hi Benik!

Congratulations on maintaining a very high blitz rating (2867 (2023-09-03)). The recent batch of games shows why you are such a tough opponent – your tactical alertness and willingness to seize the initiative are outstanding. Below is a succinct performance review followed by concrete training ideas.

Key Strengths

• Dynamic piece play as Black. In several wins you invaded with …Bc5–e3 ideas (Scotch, French-KIA) or hit the centre with …d5/c5 at the exact moment. Your feel for activity is elite.
• Flexible opening repertoire. You switch smoothly between 1…e5 (C22, C55) and 1…Nf6 / …g6 setups (E61, A07). That keeps opponents guessing and maximises practical chances.
• Conversion technique in R+P endgames. Versus Payyappat you converted the extra passer with precise king routes and kept your rook behind the pawn – textbook!
• Clock handling in winning positions. Most of your victories were finished with >20 seconds left, showing strong pre-move discipline.

Recurring Issues

1. Impatience with White in closed structures.
   • Loss vs vladgoncharov: after 15…e5 you uncorked 16.Nxe5?! without full calculation. The pawn sac left you down material and low on time.
   • Suggestion: when the position is still fluid, spend one extra second to ask “what happens after the obvious reply?” – often the tactic is a mirage.
2. Pawn storms that weaken your own king.
   In several Black wins (A07, C00) …g5–h5 worked against lower-rated players, but in losses it rebounded. A timely prophylaxis move like …h6 or a central break can achieve the same space without loosening dark squares.
3. Critical moment time drops.
   • In the Center-Game win you still had >20 sec at move 40, but in the loss you were under 10 sec by move 24. Blitz is forgiving, yet letting the clock become an extra defender cost you at least two games this session.

Targeted Homework

• 👁 Visualisation drill: play 10 minutes of “blindfold squares” each day. Seeing three moves ahead faster will cut impulsive sacs.
• 🔍 End-game refinement: take the most recent loss position after 30…Ne6 and play it vs an engine set to 2500 until you hold a draw. This will reinforce defensive resources such as the fourth-rank shield.
• 📚 Opening touch-ups: add the quiet 5.e3 line versus 1…c5 Benko to your file. It avoids the a6–b5 gambit and leaves you in familiar IQP territory.

Performance Snap-Shot

Quick Tactical Puzzle (from your own game)

Position after 19…Qa4 (loss vs vladgoncharov):
White to play. Instead of 20.c5?, find the calm move that keeps the balance (solution hidden below).

Next Steps

1. Annotate one win and one loss daily with special attention to “Why did I move fast here?”
2. Schedule two 30-minute sessions per week on defensive technique – especially handling opposite-coloured bishop endings.
3. Continue joining high-level blitz arenas but finish each set with two slow games (10 + 5) to reinforce accurate calculation under lower stress.

Keep up the great work, and feel free to share your annotated games for deeper analysis. Good luck in your next Title Tuesday!