Marko Makaj FM

Overall Performance and Rating Progress

Marko, you've made solid progress recently with a 1-month rating gain of 126 points and an upward trend slope showing consistent improvement. Your 3 and 6 month rating changes also show steady gains, reflecting your growing skill. Your strength adjusted win rate is roughly 50%, which indicates you are competitive at your level and have a good foundation to build on.

Recent Games Analysis

Your recent blitz games demonstrate strong strategic understanding and tactical awareness, especially in openings and middle game play. Key observations include:

• Opening Choices: You frequently employ modern and Trompowsky Attack lines, showing comfort in flexible and dynamic positions.
• Positional Awareness: You successfully maneuvered to active piece placement behind solid pawn structures in many games.
• Endgame Technique: You converted several advantageous endgames and held pressure on opponents, causing mistakes and winning on time.
• Time Management: In several wins, opponents lost on time indicating your ability to maintain pressure and stay ahead on the clock.

Areas to Improve

Reviewing the losses, there are opportunities to sharpen your play further:

• Handling Complex Tactical Situations: Some defeats occurred in critical exchanges or when facing opponent counterplay. Focus on tactics training to enhance calculation speed in complex scenarios.
• Opening Nuances: Since modern and Trompowsky variations make up a big part of your games, deepening theoretical knowledge and move order subtleties here can reinforce your preparation.
• Defensive Resourcefulness: A few losses appeared due to slight inaccuracies under pressure. Work on resilient defense and recognizing opponent threats earlier.
• Endgame Precision: Although your endgame is strong overall, polishing technique with theoretical endings may help convert or hold tough situations.

Next Steps for Improvement

• Incorporate tactical drills focused on calculation and pattern recognition several times a week.
• Review key theoretical lines in your preferred openings with practice games and engine feedback.
• Analyze lost games carefully to spot early deviations and decision points to avoid in future matches.
• Practice endgames: study fundamental rook, pawn, and minor piece endgames to boost confidence.
• Work on maintaining consistent time usage and avoiding blunders when short on the clock.

Keep up the disciplined work and maintain your positive momentum! You're on a great path with good results and steady rating growth.