Feedback for Borna Franc
Dear Borna,
You've demonstrated solid tactical awareness and sharp calculation in your recent games, particularly in openings such as the Alapin Sicilian and French Defense Exchange Variation. Your ability to capitalize on opponents' mistakes early in the opening and transition into a strong middlegame is commendable. For example, in your win against GilbertElroy, you effectively used pressure on the queenside and active piece play to secure victory.
However, there are some areas to focus on to help improve your results further:
- Time Management: Some losses suggest time trouble impacted your decision-making, as in the game against winguselessking, where the loss was on time. Practicing consistent pacing can help avoid rushed moves and blunders in critical moments.
- Endgame Technique: While your middlegame play is strong, a couple of recent games showed opportunities to convert winning or equal positions more cleanly in the endgame. Drills on fundamental endgames, such as king and pawn or rook endgames, could increase your confidence and conversion rate.
- Opening Variety: Your opening repertoire is quite consistent, favoring d4 and e4 openings and solid responses. Expanding your surprise value with some lesser-known sidelines could give you an edge against prepared opponents.
- Positional Awareness: In some games, small inaccuracies led to loss of key squares or minor piece activity. Focusing on understanding the strategic elements of your favored openings will help strengthen your plans and restrict your opponent’s counterplay.
To support your progress, consider reviewing key moments in your recent losses and focusing on:
- Identifying critical tactical motifs missed under time pressure.
- Consolidating advantages in the endgame before launching risky attacks.
- Exploring alternative opening moves to diversify your playstyle.
Keep up the great work and keep analyzing your games. This approach of learning from every result will help you grow steadily.
Best regards,
Your Chess Coach