Coach Chesswick
Feedback Report for Ayan Allahverdiyeva
Current Snapshot
• Peak Blitz rating: 2537 (2025-05-23)
• Peak Rapid rating: 2238 (2019-06-02)
Recent results show a healthy mixture of creative attacking wins (e.g. the Nimzowitsch-Larsen game below) and some difficult endgames/time-trouble losses.
What You’re Doing Well
- Opening Variety & Flexibility. You comfortably switch between 1.e4 and 1.d4 systems and handle both sides of open Sicilians, the Caro–Kann and French structures.
- Tactical Vision. In several recent wins you spotted intermediate moves (e.g. 21…d4!! in the Larsen game) that created passed pawns or direct attacks.
- Piece Activity. You often steer your pieces to active posts (…Rc8–c2, …Bb4-b2, …Nd4) rather than passively defending.
Key Improvement Themes
- King Safety in Sharp Lines. Two recent losses started with promising attacks but stalled after castling was delayed. When you launch an early pawn storm (h4/h5, g4/g5) make a concrete decision about your king’s long-term shelter.
- Time Management. Several lost positions were still drawable, but you fell below 10 seconds. Adopt a “critical-move pause”: invest an extra 5 seconds on moves that open the position, trade queens, or enter an endgame. You will gain time later because the resulting positions are easier to play.
- Endgame Conversions. You reach many rook-and-pawn endings but sometimes misplace the rook behind the wrong pawn. Remember the principle “Rooks belong behind passed pawns” (Tarrasch rule).
- Handling Counter-Sacrifices. Opponents often return material (…d4, …f4) to break your grip. Before accepting a pawn, ask: “Does this help or hinder my opponent’s piece activity?” If it helps them, consider prophylaxis instead.
Concrete Action Plan
- Opening Drill (15 minutes/day). Build a flash-card file with your first 12 moves in your main lines plus one branch for each major sideline. Repeat until you can recite the moves in under 90 seconds.
- Endgame Mini-Sessions (3 per week). Play out basic rook-versus-pawn positions against a friend or engine until you can win/draw with <10 seconds on the clock.
- “Increment Only” Blitz. Play five 3 + 2 games focusing solely on keeping >20 seconds after move 30. Ignore results; track only the clock. This will recalibrate your internal time sense.
- Post-Game Journaling. After every session, write one sentence each for: (a) Best practical decision, (b) Worst practical decision, (c) Lesson to carry forward. The act of writing cements the insight.
Illustrative Win (Critical Phase)
The diagrammed position arose after 17…Qa3 in your win with the Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack. Note how you kept the initiative by centralising rooks and pushing the passed d-pawn.
Next Coaching Call Preparation
• Bring two recent games where you felt “lost in the middlegame”.
• Mark the exact move where you first became uncertain.
• Note which candidate moves you considered and why.
Keep the energy high and the analysis honest, and your next rating jump will follow naturally.
— Your Chess Coach