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
- 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).
- Tactical awareness. Moves such as 18…b4!! and 30…Bg7!! show excellent calculation in messy positions.
- 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:
- create a direct threat?
- improve my worst piece?
- 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
| Week | Task |
|---|---|
| 1 | Watch 3 model games in the Moscow & Rossolimo Sicilian; add the plans to your file. |
| 2 | Solve 50 defensive tactics (themes: intermediate move zwischenzug, over-loaded pieces, back-rank). |
| 3 | Play 10 training games from the position after 18…Rc8 in your loss to talaicito and try to hold with White. |
| 4 | Analyse 5 of your own endgames with an engine or sparring partner; focus on pawn majorities and piece activity. |
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. 💪