Pedro Donizete de Rossi NM

Coach’s Feedback for Pedro Donizete de Rossi

What you are already doing well

• Dynamic opening choices with 1.e4 that steer games into open positions where your tactical eye shines.
• Willingness to sacrifice material for initiative – the win against GunBuzau (see PGN viewer below) is a good example.
• Good piece activity in the middlegame; bishops and rooks usually reach strong diagonals and files early.

Patterns that need attention

• Time management: Several recent losses were on time. Aim to keep at least 40 % of your starting clock for the last 20 moves.
• Conversion technique: Even in winning positions you sometimes miss the cleanest finish and burn precious seconds. Build the habit “simplify when ahead.”
• King safety as Black: In French / Caro-Kann games you often weaken the dark squares with premature …g6/…h5/…f5 before finishing development.
• Handling backward d-pawns: In the Tarrasch French loss you allowed …c5 too early without adequate preparation. Review thematic plans in that structure.

Opening recommendations

• Vs 1.e4 (as Black): Consider the Classical French with …Nf6 – king safer and fewer early pawn moves than 3…Be7.
• Vs 1.d4: Try the Nimzo-Indian or Queen’s Gambit Declined for solid structures and clear development schemes.
• With White: Keep 1.e4 but prepare an anti-Sicilian system (Alapin or c3) to avoid deep theory while keeping the initiative.

Structured training plan (30-40 min/day)

1. Daily tactics: 20 puzzles in 10 min, focusing on forcing moves and mates. Flag every motif you miss.
2. Endgames: 15 min on king-and-pawn and basic rook endings (Lucena, Philidor) – they appear frequently in your games.
3. Model game study: One annotated GM game per week in an opening you play; annotate it yourself first, engine second.
4. Purposeful blitz: Limit sessions to 5 games, then review the moments you dipped under 30 s on the clock.

Progress tracking

Monitor when you play best:

Current peak blitz rating: 2243 (2018-03-02)

Game to revisit

This victory showcases your attacking skill but also moments where faster technical choices would have saved time. Annotate it on your own before consulting an engine.

Key concepts to remember

• Pieces first, pawns later – avoid early pawn storms until your king is safe and rooks are connected.
• When ahead in material, exchange pieces not pawns.
• Use a quick checklist in complex positions: king safety, material, activity, pawn structure, threats.

Follow the plan for four weeks and we’ll reassess. Good luck, Pedro – looking forward to your next rating jump!