Coach Chesswick
Hi Andrey, here is some constructive feedback based on your recent blitz games
What you are already doing well
- Sharp opening repertoire. As Black you mix the Sicilian, Budapest Gambit and early …d5 set-ups vs. Réti systems, forcing opponents to solve problems immediately.
- Creating tactical pressure early. In your win vs. tactical_mode you uncorked 10…Qh4+ and kept the initiative all game.
- Decisive sense of momentum. When you get a lead in development you push pawns (…g5/…h5) and pieces forward to keep the opponent on the back foot, often finishing games before move 30.
Key areas to improve
-
Time management
Your only “loss” in the sample vs. Pavel Eljanov was on time from a roughly equal rook ending. Increment games reward quick, safe moves once the critical phase is over.- Adopt a “checkpoint” rule: leave yourself ≥ 45 sec after move 20.
- When ahead but low on time, switch to two-move plans and keep pieces coordinated rather than hunting the absolute best move.
-
Conversion technique
You regularly reach better positions but sometimes let the opponent back in (e.g. the Budapest win: 28…Kg6 allowed 31.Kd3 and the position became technical). Practise typical rook-and-pawn endings; they appear often in your games. -
Central pawn structure awareness
Two losses started with the quiet 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.g3 lines. You played …c6/…b6 setups but allowed d5 exd5 Bxd5! motifs that gave White a space advantage.- Review the thematic break …c5 (or …e5) in the Queen’s Indian / Catalan structures.
- Study the concept of prophylaxis: sometimes a single waiting move (…h6, …Re8) prevents tactical shots like Nd5! or Bf4/e4 sacs.
-
Opening depth vs. 2400+ opposition
In the Taimanov loss to Konstantine Shanava you met 12.Qh3 with …h5?! and soon weakened the dark squares. Against masters, aim for a more solid line (…d5 or …Be7/ …d6 setups) and know one or two branch-ending ideas.
Concrete study plan
| Week | Focus | How |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Endgame technique | Play 50 rook-and-pawn drills on a trainer; review Capablanca endings with commentary. |
| 3–4 | Queen’s Pawn defences | Create a mini-repertoire vs. g3 systems; analyse 10 model games where Black equalises cleanly. |
| 5–6 | Bulletproof Sicilian line | Pick one line vs. 6.Be3/6.Bg5; build a file with one forcing variation to move 15. |
| 7 | Time management | Play a 20-game set with the goal “never below 30 sec before move 25.” Track your success manually. |
Illustrative moment
Try setting up the following critical juncture from the eljanov game:
[[Pgn| [FEN "8/5R2/p6p/2p5/P2b1pkP/1r6/1P1R2K1/8 w - - 0 37"] * ]]With only seconds left, 37.Rg7+ would have forced …Kf5 38.Rg5+ and a perpetual. Practise converting or saving such endings quickly.
Stats snapshot
Your current peak blitz rating: 2514 (2020-05-21).
Keep an eye on your performance trend: