Axel Scheffner FM

Overall Performance and Rating Trend

Axel, your recent games show a solid performance with a strength adjusted win rate of about 55%, which is commendable. Your rating trend over the last year is consistently positive, reflecting steady improvement. The upward slope of 40.2 indicates that you are gaining strength at a good pace. Keep up this steady progress!

Recent Win Highlights

You have secured wins using a variety of openings including the Caro-Kann Defense, Queen's Gambit Declined, and King's Indian Defense. Notably, your games often end with your opponents resigning, showcasing strong endgame control and pressure.

• Effective use of central control and piece development in the Caro-Kann
• Good tactical awareness in middle game exchanges as seen in the Queen’s Gambit Declined games
• Strong attacking instincts in the King's Indian Defense involving aggressive pawn pushes and piece coordination

Example from your Caro-Kann defense game: after exchanging knights early, you built a strong kingside pressure that led to a decisive attack.

Recent Loss Review

In your recent loss against Noam Vitenberg, the Nimzo-Indian Defense presented some challenges:

• The early exchange in the Nimzo-Indian allowed Black to exert significant pressure on your central pawns.
• There was a critical moment when Black’s queen penetrated into your territory, forcing defensive moves that limited your options.
• Improve your handling of pressure in the center, particularly when facing pawn breaks by the opponent.

Focusing on understanding the typical plans and counterplay ideas in the Nimzo-Indian will help you defend more effectively and look for counter-chances.

Suggestions for Improvement

• Opening Study: Deepen your knowledge of the Nimzo-Indian Defense to reduce the risk of early central pressure overwhelming your position.
• Positional Awareness: Work on recognizing when to trade pieces and when to maintain tension, especially in the middle game.
• Endgame Technique: Continue to build on your demonstrated ability to convert advantages as your recent wins show strong endgame play leading opponents to resign.
• Tactical Training: Maintain regular tactical exercises to sharpen your calculation, supporting your attacking style visible in your wins.

Next Steps

Keep leveraging your strengths in attack and endgame conversion while addressing challenges in opening preparation and central tension management. Analyze your losses critically and consider reviewing master games in openings you play, especially the Nimzo-Indian and Caro-Kann.

You are on an excellent path. Consistency and focused study will continue to raise your level.