Carlos Cranbourne FM

Feedback for Carlos Cranbourne (“cacranb”)

Quick snapshot

• Time-control: almost all your recent games are 60 + 1, i.e. bullet with a one-second increment.
• Result pattern: you flagged in 6 of the last 7 losses while virtually never getting out-played on the board.
• Strength indicator: you are regularly pairing with & beating 1900-2000 bullet players.
• Personal best so far: 2139 (2021-11-07)

What you are already doing well

• Tactical alertness. In the win vs chapatz007 you converted an exchange-up endgame with …Bd4+ and cross-checks in seconds.
• Dynamic openings as Black. Your Sicilian set-ups (…c5, …e6, …Nf6) give you active play and fit bullet chess nicely.
• Psychological toughness. When the clock is low you keep creating practical problems; many opponents run out of time even in equal positions.

Main improvement themes

1. Time management
   • Treat 60 + 1 as “increment bullet”, not blitz. Aim to play the first 15-20 moves inside 15-20 s total.
   • Use force-moves = instant move rule. If there is only one legal reply, premove it.
   • Adopt a default opening sequence you can autopilot; thinking on move 3 eats the clock.
2. Simplify winning positions sooner
   Four of your time losses came from technically winning positions (e.g. vs nsiahaan and ivisio). When you are clearly ahead:
   • Trade queens or go into a known mating net instead of searching for “perfect” continuations.
   • Remember that in bullet, a +5 evaluation and 5 s on the clock can still lose—convert fast.
3. Streamline the white repertoire
   Right now you alternate between the French Advance, Smith-Morra, Panov, Ponziani and off-beat lines. Pick one or two main systems you know well; you will save at least 5 s in the opening every game.
4. End-game finishing technique
   You often reach won king-and-pawn or rook endgames but spend too long calculating. Study a few key bullet patterns (Lucena, Philidor, basic mating nets). Practice until you can execute them premove-fast.
5. Pawn-storm discipline
   In several losses the early advance …g5/…h5 (or g4/h4 as White) left weaknesses you later had to defend and cost precious seconds. Consider delaying these thrusts unless there is a concrete payoff.

Illustrative moment to revisit

From your loss vs nsiahaan (Caro-Kann, 24…b4!): you spent 14 s here and let the clock seep away.
Try to spot the forced sequence quickly:

Suggested weekly routine

• 10-15 bullet games/day focusing on playing the first 20 moves in <15 s.
• 20 minutes of tactic sprints (Puzzle Rush / rated puzzles) right before playing to warm-up pattern recognition.
• Review one win and one loss daily; only ask “Where did I spend >5 s on a single move?”
• Solo drill: set up 10 basic king-and-pawn or rook-and-pawn wins and finish them in <10 s each.

Closing thought

You are already playing at a solid 2 000-bullet level. A modest improvement in clock handling alone could push you to 2 200+. Keep your openings simple, convert advantages quickly and let your tactical skills do the rest. Good luck, Carlos!