Robert Baskin IM

Hi Robert!

Congratulations on breaking the 2700-blitz barrier (2878 (2021-02-09)) and for the high quality attacking games you have produced recently. Below is some personalised feedback based on your latest results.

Your biggest strengths

• Tactical alertness. Your win versus Danielian Elina shows razor-sharp calculation (19.Qxh5! and 22.Nd5! Nf6+ tactics). When complications arise you usually come out on top.
• Opening initiative. As White you consistently seize space with e4, d4, f4 ideas, and as Black you are comfortable in dynamic Sicilians and the French, taking the game to the opponent rather than waiting.
• Conversion under time pressure. Even with < 10 seconds you often find the forcing lines needed to finish the game, a clear sign of good pattern recognition.

Recurring issues to address

• Time management in the middle-game. Several recent losses (e.g. vs Alfonso Jose Alfaro Rojas) start with a solid position that drifts after you drop below one minute. Try adopting a “two-speed” clock policy: allocate ~45 s for the opening & early middlegame, reserve a second minute for the critical phase, and enter any endgame with at least 30 s.
• Over-repetition of plans. In three different games you repeated B h6-f4-h6-f4 vs the Sicilian. Opponents eventually exploited this predictable manoeuvre with …Qb6/Qh8 counters. Build a broader set of candidate moves (candidate moves) before committing to a piece shuffle.
• End-game technique. Losses to BobbyHanma and Kemel Antonio Gallo García reveal hesitation in rook & minor-piece endings (e.g. hopeful h-pawn pushes that weakened your king). A weekly dose of theoretical endgames (Lucena, Philidor, rook vs pawn races) will pay quick dividends.
• Prophylaxis. A few defeats stem from ignoring the opponent’s next threat (…Qxb2, …Rxb2+, …Nxd2). Before every move ask “What is my opponent threatening?” (Prophylaxis check).

Action plan for the next 30 days

1. Opening tune-up: Prepare a secondary line against 3…Nc6 Sicilians (e.g. the Alapin 2.c3 or 3.Bb5+). This prevents opponents from steering you into comfort zones they have prepped.
2. Structured calculation drill: 15 min/day on mixed tactics, but force yourself to verbalise candidate moves & forcing lines to reduce impulsive swaps.
3. Endgame mini-schedule:
   • Mon/Wed – rook endings (Chessable or your favourite database)
   • Fri – minor-piece vs pawns
   • Weekend – play two 10 + 5 training games starting from an equal endgame position.
4. Review lost games immediately. Pick one critical position, set up on a board, and write down why your chosen move failed and what the engine recommends. Limiting the review to 10 minutes keeps it sustainable.
5. Mental reset routine: After two consecutive losses, take a 5-minute break and perform a non-chess activity. This prevents tilt and protects your rating graph.

Your performance at a glance

Keep in mind

A 2700-level blitz player already knows a lot; the next leap often comes from avoiding self-inflicted errors rather than increasing brilliance. Tighten the screws in the areas above and you’ll see steady rating growth.

Good luck, have fun, and feel free to ping me with any questions after your next training cycle!

Coach