Dmitry Gordievsky GM

Constructive feedback for Dmitry Gordievsky

Your current profile at a glance

• Latest peak: 3036 (2024-10-03)
• Typical session rhythm:
• Streak patterns:

What you are already doing very well

1. Dynamic pawn breaks. In your most-recent win against Ethan Sheehan you used the thrusts b4–b5 and later h4–h5 to keep the initiative. These energetic advances force your opponents to solve concrete problems instead of quietly improving their pieces.
2. Tactical alertness. The combination 22.Rxf7! Kxf7 23.Bxg6+ in your game with Daniel Quizon shows you spot forcing continuations quickly, even under severe time pressure.
3. Piece activity in the English. When you reach structures with space advantage, your minor pieces are almost always posted on optimal squares (e.g., Nb5/d5, Bf1–b5).

Main improvement areas

1. Time management. Two of your last five losses (vs Matías Pérez Gormaz and vs Daniel Quizon) came from winning or equal positions that were simply flagged.
   • Adopt a “30-second rule”: whenever your clock dips below 0:30, simplify immediately or force a perpetual.
   • Use the opening phase to build a reserve bank of at least +10 s; you already know the setups, so move instantly on the first 8–10 moves.
2. Prophylaxis in the Closed Sicilian as Black. Early …h5 g5 gains space but leaves the kingside dark squares undefended. In your loss to chesterreyes you never regained control of f5 and h6.
   • Insert …Bd7 before …h5 so the queen can later swing to e8/h5 for defense.
   • Study model games of Gelfand and Karjakin, who keep the pawn on h7 until the center is closed.
3. End-game conversion. Against ClydeHillKid you reached a technically won rook + pawns ending but allowed counterplay and were mated. Work on:
   • Lucena and Philidor positions—including side pawns.
   • Expanding with the king before pushing passed pawns (avoid self-zugzwang).

Opening-specific recommendations

Concrete study plan (next 4 weeks)

• Week 1: 30 min/day solving end-game studies; annotate them briefly.
• Week 2: Create a one-page opening file “Black vs e4” with only critical positions and typical plans.
• Week 3: Play 20 games with 5 + 3 time control to practise fast but accurate decision making.
• Week 4: Review losses; for every move that changed the eval by ≥ 1.0 use the question “What was the threat?” to build prophylactic thinking.

Annotated snapshot of your latest win

Replaying this miniature once a week will remind you how strong your play looks when your clock is healthy and your pieces cooperate:

Final mindset tip

In positions where you already feel the win, slow down for one extra second and verify your opponent’s only threats. That single second has the power to convert near-wins into full points and will boost both rating and confidence.

Good luck, and keep up the creative chess!