Ana Srebrnic WGM

Hi Ana (“Hotella”)!

I reviewed your last batch of 3 + 1 blitz games. You are hovering near your personal best of 2278 (2022-10-08), beating several higher-rated opponents on the way. Below is concise, actionable feedback to speed up your next jump in strength.

Your current trajectory

• Activity & stamina: see
  to check when you score best.
• Momentum by weekday:
  – use it to schedule future training games.

What you already do well

1. Dynamic black openings. In the Chigorin/Benoni-type set-ups you grab space and piece activity quickly (e.g. your win over Alexander A. Chernov).
2. Tactical awareness. Moves such as 18…b4!! and 30…Bg7!! show excellent calculation in messy positions.
3. Pragmatic clock handling. Several victories came from keeping pressure until opponents flagged—good practical skill for 3 + 1.

Biggest improvement levers

1) White repertoire vs Sicilian & French
Two recent defeats (vs Talaibek Osmonbekov – B52 and Andrés Delgado – C01) started with slow wing pawn pushes and piece shuffling. Consider:

• Against 2…d6 & 2…e6 prefer the main-line Rossolimo/Moscow or 3.c3 with rapid d4 to keep the centre fluid.
• Exchange French: add c4 & Nc3 plans or try the 4.Bb5+ sideline to avoid dead-equal structures.

2) Restraining flank pawns
In the talaicito game h3–h4–g3 cost three tempi and weakened your king. Before pushing a wing pawn ask “Does it:

1. create a direct threat?
2. improve my worst piece?
3. allow the opponent a central break?”

3) Middlegame prophylaxis
Many setbacks (…Qc5+, …Qb5, …Nb4) came from overlooking the opponent’s next punch. Train the habit “one quiet safety move every five moves.” Typical examples: a3, h3, Kf1.

4) Technical conversion
Games vs JJDAREK and vs Rosh1610 show hesitation in queen-vs-rook or queen-vs-minor endings. Spend one study session per week on reduced-material drills to turn won positions into points.

5) Time distribution
You sometimes spend 40 s on a single early move and blitz the rest. Try the 10-20-70 rule: 10 % of the clock for the opening, 20 % for the first critical moment, leaving 70 % for the remaining moves.

Concrete homework for the next month

Illustrative moment

Below is the critical section of the Sicilian game where passive play let Black seize the c-file. Start here in analysis mode and look for improvements:

Motivation boost

Your sharp eye already lets you punch above 2200. Blend it with sturdier structures and a dash of prophylaxis, and 2300+ is within reach soon. Keep challenging titled players, review every loss, and celebrate each small breakthrough—progress snowballs. 💪