Madara Golsta NM

Quick overview

Nice work, Madara — you’re converting practical chances in blitz and creating counterplay in messy positions. The recent win vs uzdtimur9041 shows good endgame awareness and a willingness to press a passed pawn. The loss to Elliott Winslow and other recent defeats point to recurring practical issues you can fix quickly with targeted training.

Key games (review)

Win vs uzdtimur9041 — you were Black and found a clear plan to create a passed pawn and use rooks actively. Replay the game to see where you simplified into a winning endgame.

• Replay:

Loss vs Elliott Winslow — you got tangled in the centre and your opponent found an invasion on the seventh rank (Rc7). That switch from a closed-ish structure to active penetration cost coordination.

• Replay:

What you're doing well

• Converting advantages: you simplify and push for wins once you get a tangible edge (see the passed pawn in the win).
• Active piece play: you create threats and open files for rooks instead of passively waiting.
• Repertoire strength: you have very solid results in the Scotch Game and Sicilian Defense (some lines), which is an excellent foundation to build on.
• Practical play in blitz: you generate complications that are hard for opponents to solve over the clock.

Recurring issues to fix

• Coordination in the middlegame: several losses come from allowing opponent rooks/queens to invade the seventh rank (Rc7 in the ecwinslow game). Prioritize defending/securing back ranks and 7th rank squares when you trade down.
• Pawn-structure timing: pawn breaks like ...d5 / ...d4 in your games are useful, but sometimes you push them at the wrong moment and open lines for opponent pieces. Check king safety before opening the center.
• Time management under pressure: blitz clocks show you often reach low time (sub-30s). Practice quick decision templates (candidate moves) so you don’t lose by inaccuracy when low on time.
• Endgame technique: you convert well when a clear advantage exists, but close, technical endgames (rook + pawn) can still slip if coordination falters. Study a few core rook endgames.

Concrete training plan (next 2 weeks)

• Daily tactics: 15–20 minutes of tactical puzzles (aim for 25–50 puzzles), focus on forks, pins, and rook tactics (back-rank/7th-rank themes).
• Endgame drills: 3 × 20 minute sessions on basic rook endgames (Lucena, Philidor ideas) and king + pawn vs king — convert 80% of straightforward wins.
• Opening focus: prioritize 2 lines you perform best in — e.g. keep playing and deepening the Scotch Game and Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation plans (you have higher win rates there). For the Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack and Najdorf lines, prepare 1–2 concrete anti-ideas and typical tactical motifs so you’re not surprised in blitz.
• Review routine: after each session, pick 2 losses and do a 10–15 minute post-mortem. Ask: was it calculation, opening prep, or time trouble? Create a one-line fix for next time.
• Play with intention: 3 rapid games (15+10) this week where you practice the exact opening plan and conversion ideas you studied; then switch back to blitz.

Practical tips for your next blitz session

• When low on time: prioritize safe, active moves (develop or trade off a strong attacker). Avoid long forced calculations unless you see a clear tactic.
• If opponent invades the 7th rank: trade queens or chase the invading rook with a pawn/king move that reduces its scope — don't allow two heavy pieces to dominate 7th rank.
• Before opening the center with a pawn break, quickly check king safety and piece coordination — one glance at opponent checks and back-rank threats saves many losses.
• Use your strengths: steer games into Scotch/Alapin structures where you get familiar, tactical play and better win rate.

Short checklist (for after each game)

• One-sentence summary of why I won/lost.
• Was time trouble a factor? (yes / no)
• One tactic or endgame pattern to practice from this game.
• Mark if opening needs adjustment (switch line / learn 1 novelty).

Next steps I recommend

Follow the 2-week plan, then reassess: if the 1 month trend (-25) keeps going down, increase tactics to 25–30 minutes/day and add a weekly longer rapid review. If your rating stabilizes or improves (your 3 and 6 month trends are OK), keep the current balance.

• Priority 1: tactics + 7th-rank/rook motifs.
• Priority 2: 10 model rook endgames (play them out from both sides).
• Priority 3: deepen your best opening lines and prepare exact moves for the Dragon/Najdorf sidelines you face most often.

Want a targeted homework set?

If you want, I can prepare a: 7-day tactics list, 5 rook-endgame positions to train, and one short opening packet for either the Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack or the Scotch Game. Tell me which opening to prioritize and I’ll build it.