Dragos Ceres IM

Hi Dragos!

You’re performing at an impressive level (current peak: ), and the games you’ve played over the last few days confirm both your tactical sharpness and fighting spirit. Below is a structured set of observations and action-items that should help you convert even more of your promising positions into points.

1. Opening Phase

• Black vs. 1.e4 – French Advance
  You handle the Paulsen set-up (…Qb6/…Bd7) confidently, often steering the game toward dynamic middlegames (e.g. wins vs. Vladimir-Alexandru Cnejev and Teo Tomulic).
  Action: Add the thematic break …f6 sooner in positions where White delays c4; this will reduce the pressure on d5 and cut down White’s kingside chances.
• Black vs. 1.d4 – QGD/Ragozin structures
  Your most recent loss to Dmitrij Kollars showed good opening knowledge but revealed uncertainty once the queens came off. The early …Bb4 followed by …c5 is fine, yet watch for the tempo loss when the bishop has to retreat.
  Action: Study the model game Radjabov–Carlsen, Wijk 2020 to see how Black re-routes the light-squared bishop and strikes with …e5.
• White – Queen’s Pawn Systems
  Against East-Indian set-ups you achieved healthy space but then over-expanded (loss vs. IwkooO).
  Action: Rehearse the plan c5 + b4 + a4 only after you have a rook on c1 and your queen off c2. That keeps the c-file tension working for you instead of against you.

2. Middlegame Patterns

• Converting the Exchange Up
  Several wins (DagurR, VladyC) show smooth technique, yet the defeat vs. IwkooO featured an exchange-up that flipped. The turning point was 26…f6 (weakening dark squares) followed by 31.f4! from your opponent.
  Action: In practice sessions, give yourself “exchange-up but worse structure” positions and play against strong engines on a low depth to drill conversion.
• Kingside Pawn Storms
  Your attacks with …g5/…h5 (e.g. vs. Radical_3dward) are dangerous but sometimes leave weak squares behind.
  Action: Whenever you advance a wing pawn, ask the “hook” question: “If this pawn disappears, what squares become weak?” Build the habit of placing a piece (often a knight) on that square before you push.

3. Endgame Technique

• R+B vs. R+N The 65-move loss to Radical_3dward and the marathon vs. Blitzstream indicate that you occasionally miss “simplest wins” and underestimate outside passed pawns.
  Action: Spend 15 minutes daily on the Silman endgame course chapters “Minor-Piece Imbalances” and “Rook + minor vs. rook”.
• Practical Time Management
  Nearly every loss ended with <10 seconds vs. >30 seconds for your opponent. Your CPS (centi-pawn-swing) remains low even in blitz, so trust your intuition a bit more.
  Action: During training, force yourself to play 3-second increment games focusing on one quick blunder-check per move: “Tactical shot? Hanging piece?”—then move.

4. Psychological & Routine Tips

• Track when you win and lose the most:
  and
  suggest slightly lower performance late evenings—consider scheduling important sessions earlier.
• After a loss, play one non-rated 3|2 “wash-out” game before returning to rated blitz; it resets your tactical vision and limits tilt.

5. Mini-Exercise

Take the critical position from move 31 of your loss to IwkooO (diagram in PGN below). Set a 5-minute timer and find a plan for Black that keeps the exchange advantage without allowing f4-f5 breaks.

Implementing even two of the action-items above should net you +30-50 rating points quickly. Keep pushing, and I look forward to seeing you cross 2800 again soon!