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Benjamin Bok GM

GMBenjaminBok Since 2010 (Active) Chess.com ♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟
62.9%- 24.1%- 13.0%
Rapid 2683 483W 115L 141D
Blitz 3035 7069W 2452L 1525D
Bullet 2917 964W 691L 91D
Coach Chesswick's Profile Photo
Coach Chesswick

Hi Ben, here is some quick, data-driven feedback from your latest blitz session.

What’s already working well

  • Opening breadth. You comfortably switch between the Nimzo-Indian (E36), QGD Exchange (D35) and the Najdorf/Dragadorf (B94/B90). This keeps opponents guessing and often earns you an early lead on the clock.
  • Practical decision-making. Your most recent win against Attack_156 showed excellent “keep the pieces on” technique: 18…Nd4! and 19…Rc2! converted pressure straight into material.
  • Creating counter-play when worse. Even in the loss to Daniel Naroditsky you found 42…Nh3! and set real mating tricks – good fighting spirit.

Recurring issues worth fixing

  1. Time-management. Four of the last six losses featured time forfeits or <3-second scrambles from equal positions.
    ➜ Action: Add 10-minute “clock-only” drills (move instantly when ≥30 s; think only when <30 s). After two weeks, splice in to verify improvement.
  2. London-system frustration. Your 0-1 loss (D02, 1 d4 Nf6 2 Nf3 d5 3 Bf4…) follows a pattern:
    • …c5/…Qb6 grabs a pawn but leaves …c4 + weak dark squares.
    • Missing the thematic break …e5 when White’s queen is still on c1/c2.
    Action: Prepare a cleaner antidote: 1…d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 c5 4.e3 Nc6 5.Nbd2 g6. Aim for a King’s-Indian structure where …Nh5 immediately challenges the bishop. Annotate 15 model games and tag each with Prophylaxis ideas.
  3. Kingside pawn storms in the Dragadorf. In the defeat by The_Berserk_Musketeer you allowed 17.g4-h5-h4 with zero counter-punch on the queenside.
    ➜ Action: Adopt Najdorf main-line 6…e5 or, if you keep 6…g6, memorise the forcing sequence 11…b4 12.Nd5 Nxd5 13.exd5 Na5 14.Qxb4 Bd7! holding the dark squares.
  4. Endgame conversion vs. passed pawns. The London loss ended with 36…Rc8?! allowing the b-pawn to reach b6-b7-b8. Similar story in the A07 game (h-pawn break).
    ➜ Action: Daily 15-minute session on rook-and-pawn vs. passed pawn endings. Use the “side file passer” theme in 3-5 positions until you can win/draw under 20 seconds per attempt.

Illustrative Micro-Tactic


The engines suggest a quiet 20…a5! (freezing the pawn chain) instead of 20…Ne4?!. Worth adding to your rehearsal file.

Training dashboard

  • Peak blitz rating: – aim to beat it after the next Arena Kings.
  • Opening focus for June: Anti-London + Najdorf g6.
  • Weekly review target: 5 wins, 3 losses fully annotated with at least one highlighted Zwischenzug.

Motivation corner

You’re scoring 70 % in games that reach move 35+. Once the clock issue is under control, your overall win-rate should climb sharply. Keep the energy high and let’s make the late-game your signature strength!

Good luck in the next Arena Kings! – Your digital second


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