Coach Chesswick
Feedback for Emil Risteski
Emil, you have demonstrated solid strategic understanding and good technique in your recent games. Here are some specific points for improvement and reinforcement based on your latest performances:
- Opening Play: Your handling of the Philidor Defense and Closed Sicilian shows familiarity with key thematic ideas such as timely piece exchanges and central tension. Continue deepening your theoretical knowledge, especially move orders and typical plans to avoid slight inaccuracies early on.
- Calculation & Tactical Awareness: Your win against higher-rated opponents demonstrates good calculation and awareness of tactical motifs. However, in some losses, missing sharper tactics or allowing opponent counterplay has been costly. Working on spotting intermediate tactics and improving visualization will help convert winning positions more reliably.
- Positional Understanding: You often seize the initiative through active piece play and pressure on opponents’ weaknesses. Make sure to maintain vigilance around weaknesses you create in your own camp, and consider prophylactic moves more frequently to limit opponent’s counter chances.
- Endgame Technique: Your endgame technique has room to grow. In some games, you reached simplified positions with chances but missed precise maneuvering or pawn breaks. Focused endgame study, especially on rook and minor piece endgames, will boost your confidence and score.
- Time Management: There are moments in your games where you comfortably manage time and others where more balanced pacing can prevent rushed mistakes late in the game. Practice with longer time controls and use your clock as a tool for accuracy.
Overall, you are on a strong path and your resilience against strong players is commendable. Keep working consistently on tactical exercises, opening theory, and endgames.
Here is a recent instructive win where you demonstrated good board awareness.
To improve further, regularly review your losses – for example your recent Caro-Kann game – and try to identify critical moments to learn from.
Keep up the good work and enjoy your journey!