Carlos Axarlian NM

Constructive Feedback for Carlos-Axarlian

1. What you are already doing well

• Fighting spirit – Many of your recent victories came from stubborn defence or by keeping the position complicated until your opponent’s clock ran out. This competitive mindset is invaluable.
• Opening repertoire breadth – You comfortably switch between Catalan structures (e.g. vs. mohammadahma) and 1.e4 systems such as the French and Ruy López. Variety makes you harder to prepare for.
• Tactical alertness – In winning games you spot resourceful moves like 35.e6+!! (first PGN) or 23.Rg1+ in the Ruy López mini-attack, seizing the initiative at critical moments.
• End-game technique – Converting pawn-up rook endings, e.g. vs. beka19978, shows solid basic technique.

2. Key areas to improve

1. Time Management
   Six of the seven recorded losses ended on time or in severe time trouble. Even in wins you often had <10 seconds when the game finished.
   Training task: Play a daily 10-minute “no-move” exercise: stare at a complex position for 60 seconds, then force yourself to commit to a move in <10 seconds. This builds the habit of making decisions faster.
2. Pawn pushes that loosen your king
   In your most recent loss you played …g5 and …b5 before completing development, giving White an easy attack.
   Critical moment:
   
   
   After 10…Nd4 the f3-pawn blocks your own king’s shelter and White can castle long with tempo.
   Guideline: Before advancing flank pawns, tick three boxes: (1) king is already safe, (2) pieces are harmoniously placed, (3) pawn push creates a concrete threat.
3. Over-reliance on opponent’s time pressure
   Although flagging is a legitimate skill, at 2200+ players will increasingly manage their clocks. Aim to win games on the board as well.
   Suggestion: Analyse each win and ask, “If my opponent had +30 seconds, is the position still winning?” If the answer is “unclear”, try to find cleaner conversions.
4. Calculation depth in forcing positions
   Loss vs. capivarando321 shows missed tactics around your king after you allowed 12…Qh5 and later 20…Qxg3+. Strengthen your forcing-line calculation with the “five-move tree” drill: from any position, calculate one forcing line five ply deep, visualise, then check with engine.

3. Opening map (next 2 weeks)

4. Structured study plan

• Monday/Wednesday – 20 minutes tactic rush (rating 1800-2300 theme), 10 minutes blindfold visualisation.
• Tuesday/Thursday – Play two 10|5 games; annotate one without engine, then compare.
• Friday – End-game slot: rook + pawn vs. rook positions (watch “Lucena & Philidor” videos).
• Weekend – Review your own games from the week; tag recurring errors in a spreadsheet.

5. Tracking your progress

Your current personal best: 2435 (2022-04-24). Let’s aim to break the next barrier within three months.

Visualise improvement trends:

6. Motivational snapshot

Remember how you squeezed the French position vs. konstantine1:

Clean, energetic play – repeat this quality more often than not and you will climb rapidly!

Good luck with your training, and keep the fighting spirit alive!