Chamal Gedgaf NM

Hi Chamal, here’s some tailored feedback based on your latest blitz games

Key strengths to keep building on

• Tactical eye. Your 20.Nxg5!! in the win vs blueshark23 (see mini-game below) shows you’re willing to calculate forcing lines and cash in.
  
  
  
• Practical repertoire. You steer the game into structures you know well: London ( d4–Bf4 ), French/Winawer and Benko. This consistency is giving you good middlegame positions.
• Conversion technique. Endgames like your K+P win vs CaveWorld show patient maneuvering—something many blitz players lack.

Patterns that cost you points

1. Clock control. Three of the four losses supplied were timeout or last-seconds blunders from heavy time trouble. Even winning positions need time to convert.
   ➜ Train with a 3 + 2 or 5 + 3 increment to ingrain “move-then-think” habits.
2. Loose pawn thrusts. In the Winawer loss to Olsbom you played …b6 & …f6 without finishing development, leaving the dark squares and the c-file weak. Similar over-extension (…g5 …c4) appeared in the Benko time-out game.
   ➜ Before advancing flank pawns, ask “Is my king completely safe?” ― classic prophylaxis.
3. Plan-drift in comfortable positions. Several London games stall after you win a pawn; pieces get shuffled while the opponent stirs up counter-play. Create a checklist: open file? improve worst piece? exchange into a winning endgame?

Concrete next steps

• Opening refresh. Pick one line per colour to study deeply this week:
  • White: 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 e6 3.e3 b6 … (Indian/London) — learn the typical e4 break ideas.
  • Black: French Winawer vs 3.Nc3. Review a model game by Vachier-Lagrave to see how he handles the h4 advance.
• Timed calculation drills. Set a five-minute limit per puzzle and write down the full main line before moving. Focus on CCT (Checks-Captures-Threats) to reduce oversight.
• Endgame micro-goals. Each session, play out two technical endings (Q + P vs Q, or R + P vs R) against an engine until mate. This will speed up your conversion muscle memory.

Stats & progress trackers

Peak blitz rating: 2480 (2022-11-11)
When are you hottest? →

Mindset tip

In blitz the first accurate move is often more valuable than searching for the best move. If you’re below 20 seconds, simplify or force a perpetual so the result is decided on the board, not on the clock.

Keep the momentum, enjoy the grind, and let me know when you break the next rating wall!