Ursus Van Bemmelen FM

Constructive feedback for Ursus Van Bemmelen

What you are already doing well

• Dynamic opening choices such as the Bird (1 f4) and Modern setups with …g6 lead to rich middlegames that suit your tactical strengths.
• You willingly sacrifice material for activity (e.g., 17…Bxb2 in the loss to alekhine1986)—a hallmark of creative play.
• Conversion skills in rook-and-pawn endings are solid, as seen in your win versus supercar where you nursed an extra passed pawn to victory.
• Your tactical alertness in cramped positions is excellent; you often find intermediate moves such as 22.Qxd5⁺ that immediately simplify into favourable endgames.

Key areas for improvement

1. Time management
   Three of your last five losses were on time despite playable positions.
   • Adopt a checkpoint system: spend ≤ 1 minute reaching move 15, ≤ 2 minutes by move 25, keep ≥ 40 seconds for the last 10 moves.
   • Play “increment drills” (e.g., 3 | 2 games) to automate your late-game technique without heavy clock cost.
2. Handling opposite-wing pawn storms
   In the defeat against caoug you allowed h-pawn advances while yours stalled on the kingside. When pushing flanks, apply the rule of thumb from pawn majority theory: advance only if you can open files or fix targets.
3. Improving end-game precision
   The lost knight ending versus Alekhine1986 reached a drawn table-base position (♞+2 pawns vs ♘+1) but you drifted. Re-study knight vs pawn endpoints—especially the basic drawing zones. Suggested drill set: 10 daily puzzles from the KvP & N endings section of your favourite trainer.
4. Transition plans from middlegame to ending
   In wins you often exchange into better endings; in losses (e.g., 21…R8c7 in the same Alekhine game) you traded the wrong pair of rooks and gave White the open b-file. Habit: before each exchange ask, “Who benefits from the next endgame?” If unclear, keep tension.
5. Central counterplay in Modern/Pirc structures
   Several setbacks began with passive …d6/…e6 shells. Study thematic breaks …e5 and …c5 in the Modern and how GMs like Rapport or Ding handle early space deficits.

Action plan for the next two weeks

Highlights & study references

• Re-play your clean technical finish versus fbatde:
Notice how 24.d6! fixed a passer and simplified. Try to replicate this clarity in tougher games.
• Compare that with the tense but losing line in the Modern (loss to CAOUG) and note where the pawn breaks differed.

Progress tracking

Current personal bests: 2288 (2022-04-10) / 2265 (2020-04-19) Keep an eye on your performance graphs:

Encouragement

You already play at an FM level—tightening clock usage and refining a few endings could easily net 30-40 Elo. Stay curious, keep that fighting spirit, and remember: the best game you’ll ever play is the one you fully analyse afterwards.