Maj Zirkelbach FM

Hi Maj Zirkelbach!

You have made noticeable progress lately – congratulations on reaching 2355 (2023-02-27)! Below is a structured review of your recent games, strengths, and an action-plan for the coming weeks.

1. What is already working

• Active openings with 1.d4. In most wins you seize space early and develop harmoniously. Your handling of the Semi-Slav and Modern Defense positions shows good understanding of central tension.
• Tactical vision under pressure. Elegant shots such as 25.Nc6!! in the Englund Gambit game (see mini-board below) indicate excellent calculation skills.
  
  
  
• Conversion of material advantages. Several wins feature smooth transitions from middlegame edge to technically won endings, e.g. your R-and-pawn vs rook technique versus MountThief.

2. Repeated pain points

• Time management. Four of your last six losses were on the clock while the final position was still salvageable or even winning. You spend too much time in the first 15 moves (average >25 seconds/move).
  makes this especially clear during late-night sessions.
• Handling of off-beat gambits and early queen sorties. Both losses against the Englund Gambit featured unnecessary drift (12.a4?!  and  18.b3?!). Likewise, in the Chigorin-style loss to Tactican_228, the sequence …15…f6 16.Nd3 weakened your dark squares.
• Under-estimating counter-play when defending. Games versus playingWhileSick show a pattern: you equalise, then allow a tactical shot based on a loose back rank or uncoordinated pieces (24…Nxg3??, 37…h4? in the long rook ending).

3. Concrete training goals

1. Clock discipline drill – play three 10 | 5 games per session and force yourself to move before 0:40 has elapsed in the opening. Review with engine afterwards to verify quality did not drop.
2. Targeted opening repair
   • Create a micro-repertoire versus the Englund: 1.d4 e5 2.dxe5 Nc6 3.Nf3 Qe7 4.Nc3!  followed by e4 ideas. Memorise the first 10 moves so you can play them quickly and save time.
   • Against Colle-type structures as Black guard against Bxh7+ and Qd3/Qb1-h7. Place your queen on c7 instead of e7 and keep your knight on f6 to cover h7.
3. Defensive tactical motifs – daily 15-minute session on “saving moves”: zwischenzug, perpetual,  Zugzwang escapes. Use Puzzle Storm with the defensive filter.
4. Endgame endurance – alternate rook-and-pawn vs rook exercises with rapid 3-point increment games to practise playing strong moves in <10 s.

4. Short openings checklist (stick to it!)

• Finish development before pawn grabs unless the tactic is forced.
• If opponent offers a gambit, ask: “What happens if I just give the material back and castle?” – do not let pride lead to over-extension.
• By move 15 have: King safe, at least one open file claimed, clear plan (play on dark squares? minority attack?).

5. Tracking progress

Revisit this list in two weeks and update the graphs below:

6. Motivational nugget

“Good moves are there; look for them with your time, not the clock’s.” — Adapted from Fischer

Keep the energy high, Maj, and let me know when you are ready for a deeper dive into specific openings!