Coach Chesswick
Hi Igor, here’s a performance review based on your latest blitz & bullet sessions
What you’re doing well
- Initiative-oriented openings. You score heavily with the Trompowsky (1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5) and early g/h-pawn storms in the Pirc/French. These lines suit your tactical style and regularly create mating attacks (see 34.Qh6# against chessdragon7161).
- Sharp tactical vision. Combinations such as 18…Nxf4! in the Rossolimo win material quickly. Your opponents often collapse before move 25.
- Practical endgame conversion. In the 73-move squeeze versus PyrihRoman you nursed an extra pawn and queened smoothly—excellent rook-endgame technique.
- Consistent rating climb. Your current peak is 2972 (2019-10-15). Keep that momentum!
Key areas to tighten up
- Clock management. Three recent losses (Pilopa, tusplingher, devilgoingtocry) were on time with winning or equal positions. Aim to keep >15 seconds entering any queenless ending.
• Drill 1-minute “spot-the-mate” puzzles to speed calculation.
• Play occasional 3|2 games; the increment forces you to move before reaching single digits. - Over-extension in winning positions. Example: vs TrainerDejan (QGD Exchange). After 18.Bh7+ you already have pressure; the ambitious 19.e4? dropped two pawns. When ahead on space, switch to consolidation moves (doubling rooks, king safety) instead of further pawn breaks.
- Pawn-structure discipline. The recurring …b5/…b4 in QGD and your own g4–g5 pushes leave weak squares. Study classic models of fixed pawn chains to appreciate when to hit versus sit.
- Prophylaxis. Before launching tactics, ask “What does my opponent want?” In the loss to devilgoingtocry you ignored 17…Qh3!—a one-move mate threat. Build the habit of a quick blunder-check at each move (especially when queens are on the board).
Opening snapshot
| As White | Score | Suggestion |
|---|---|---|
| Trompowsky / A45 | Excellent | Keep; add 2…e6 sidelines to repertoire. |
| Anti-Sicilian (2.Be2/3.f4 ideas) | Mixed | Consider main-line 3.d4 to reduce early queen exchanges. |
| Caro-Kann Exchange | −2 on clock | Blend in 4.Nd2 lines to avoid symmetrical pawn structures. |
Action plan for the next two weeks
- Daily 15-minute endgame session: rook + pawn vs rook, Lucena & Philidor.
- Play 20 games of 3|2 focusing solely on time usage; annotate any game where you fall below 5 seconds before move 30.
- Review 5 master games where the side with space advantage restricted counterplay instead of attacking. Pay special attention to the concept of Zugzwang.
- Create a “safe move” checklist (king, loose pieces, opponent threats) and verbalize it every turn for at least 10 blitz games.
Your performance rhythm
Keep the tactical sharpness, add a layer of strategic patience, and the next jump beyond 2850 blitz is within reach. Good luck!