Feedback for Marek Zakrzewski
Hi Marek, I've reviewed some of your recent games and here are a few observations and suggestions that can help you improve further:
Opening Phase
You demonstrate solid opening preparation, especially in the Sicilian structures and Pirc/Modern setups. Your moves like c3, d4, and careful development of minor pieces show good understanding. Keep deepening your knowledge of key ideas in your favorite openings, including typical pawn breaks and piece placements, as this will give you an edge in the early game.
Middle Game
You handle complex middle-game positions well, especially in juggling tension and strategic plans. Your active rook and bishop play in recent wins showed good coordination. However, there were moments where more precise calculation could help, particularly in dynamic positions with exchanges — try to always evaluate the consequences before committing to trades.
Endgame Technique
Your endgame technique is promising but can be sharpened by focusing on key principles like king activity, pawn structure weaknesses, and opposition. In one loss, a slight misstep in king maneuvering allowed the opponent to convert. Studying classic endgames and practicing basic theoretical winning and drawn positions will greatly benefit you.
Time Management
In several games, you managed your clock quite well, avoiding severe time pressure. This is a valuable strength. Continue to practice managing your time so you can maintain a steady pace for calculation and strategy formulation, especially under blitz and rapid time controls.
Areas to Work On
- Calculation Under Pressure: Work on visualizing combinations and tactical motifs to gain confidence in sharp positions.
- Positional Understanding: Try to deepen your evaluation of imbalances such as weak pawns, piece activity, and open files to create long-term plans.
- Opening Repertoire Refinement: Occasionally, minor inaccuracies in opening lines allowed your opponents to seize the initiative. Regular review of your most played openings can aid in spotting improvements.
Next Steps
Review your recent losses and wins by replaying critical moments to identify decision points. Use a chess engine as a coach rather than an answer key—explore why alternative moves might be better. Focus on both tactics and strategic concepts to round out your game.
Keep up the great work, Marek! Your dedication is evident. With consistent practice and study, you will continue to climb and refine your skills.