Performance Feedback for Justin Sarkar
Quick Overview
- Current form: solid scoring streak (4/5) since June 2, but three of your last five losses were on time.
- Typical session length: 5-8 blitz games — see and .
- Historical best on Chess.com Blitz: 2507 (2020-04-14).
What’s Working Well
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Sharp tactical awareness under pressure.
In your latest win against Kwsclt7 you converted the endgame despite both clocks hovering below five seconds: -
Consistent central counter-punch with …c5/e5.
You often seize space quickly and force opponents into backward-pawn structures. -
Endgame technique.
The sequence 40…d3 41.Rd2 Rd7 42…Re2 shows good use of outside passed pawns and rook activity.
Key Areas to Improve
1. Time Management
Three recent games were lost on the clock from playable or better positions
(e.g. vs Hubert Zieba, move 46…bxa5).
• Enter the final 30 moves with at least 30 seconds.
• Use the opponent’s time for “if-then” calculations.
• Adopt a forced move checklist to avoid 3-second stand-stills.
2. Opening Precision vs 1.Nf3 / Réti Set-ups
Several losses started with an early …c5 …dxc4 plan that left you with an isolated a-pawn or backward d-pawn. Consider neutral lines such as the symmetrical English with …c5, …Nc6, …g6, postponing …d5 until development is complete.
3. Transition from Advantage to Conversion
The loss vs adiosabu showed a +3 position that slipped after 26…Rd6.
• Before simplifying, ask “Will the remaining pieces cooperate with my passer?”
• When up material, favour trades that leave your rook(s) active and their king exposed.
Targeted Exercises
- Clock Discipline Drill – Play 3 + 2 but spend max 10 sec on any one move for the first 20 moves. Forces intuitive decision-making.
- Structured Opening Review – Build a mini-repertoire file vs the KIA/Réti: include critical branches after 1.Nf3 …d5 2.g3 …g6 with early …c6 (slows c4 ideas).
- Endgame Simplification Puzzle Set – 15 positions where you must choose the correct trade order; focus on rook + pawn endings and opposite-colour bishops.
Reference Game to Analyse (Recent Loss)
Pay special attention to:
- Move 22 – Your …g6 allowed White to seize the d-file without cost.
- Move 30 – …Nd7 was passive; …Ne4 kept counter-play.
- Move 39 – With little time, simplifying to a knight ending was safer than entering the rook–knight race.
Next-Week Checklist
- Play two 15 | 10 rapid games focusing on time usage.
- Add one new anti-KIA line to your Black repertoire.
- Review five classical games featuring exchange sacrifices (e.g. Petrosian) – this fits your dynamic style.