Ilia Iljiushenok GM

Overview of your recent blitz performance

Your blitz results show a strong ability to handle sharp, tactical games, with several good wins. At the same time, there is noticeable short‑term variability under time pressure, and a few endgame transitions where you can tighten your technique. The data also suggests you have success across a mix of openings, but it’s important to turn that variety into consistent, solid conversion rather than occasional big swings.

• Strengths to build on: you are comfortable in tactical, complex middlegames and know how to activate pieces in aggressive setups.
• Common improvement areas: manage time more reliably in blitz, reduce risky sacrifices when you’re low on clock, and sharpen endgame technique so small advantages convert cleanly to wins.

Opening performance insights

You show solid results across several openings and a very high win rate in lines labeled Unknown, which often reflects adaptability and practical play in blitz. While this flexibility is valuable, it’s also a reminder to solidify a compact, reliable opening repertoire so you know the typical middlegame plans after the first dozen moves.

• Recommendation: select 2 White and 2 Black openings to rely on in blitz. Learn the core ideas, typical middlegame plans, and common early tactics for those lines.
• Focus on understanding pawn structures and piece activity that arise from those choices rather than memorizing long sequences. This improves over-the-board intuition when you’re in time trouble.
• Balance variety with familiarity: it’s fine to experiment in longer games, but for blitz aim for depth in a small set of openings so you can play fast and confidently.

Interpreting the rating and trend data

• Short-term trend notes: some negative slopes in the near term suggest you may have had tougher patches or clock pressure in recent games.
• Longer‑term trend notes: positive six‑ and twelve‑month indicators indicate steady improvement over a broader window when you apply consistent fundamentals.

Targeted improvement plan

• Time management under blitz: implement a simple 2-3 step thought process for every move in the first 15 moves. If you’re unsatisfied with a candidate, move on to the next solid option instead of chasing an ambitious line you’re not fully calculating under time pressure.
• Endgame conversion: after trading into rook or minor piece endings, practice clear plan sequences (king activity first, activate a rook on open files, maximize activity of the remaining pieces).
• Blunder avoidance checklist: before making a move, perform a quick 1–2 second scan for obvious tactical threats, hanging pieces, or checkmate nets against you. If you spot a risk, choose a safer, simpler continuation.
• Opening discipline: stick to your compact repertoire and review the typical middlegame ideas for those lines. When your opponent deviates, rely on general principles (control of the center, piece activity, and king safety) rather than trying overly fancy refutations on the spot.
• Pattern drills: train a regular set of tactics focusing on common blitz motifs (pins, skewers, overloaded pieces, back-rank ideas) to raise your speed and accuracy in tactical skirmishes.

Practical, quick-start plan for the next two weeks

• Daily 15–20 minutes of tactics drill focused on patterns you’re unlikely to miss under time constraints (pins, forks, discovered attacks).
• 2–3 blitz games per day with after-action notes: identify the moment you spent too long, where a safer move existed, and how you could have converted a small advantage earlier.
• Endgame study: 1 rook ending per week with a simple plan (activate the king, use the rook to cut the opponent off, and look for the opponent’s back rank threats).
• Opening practice: pick 2 White and 2 Black openings, study their key ideas, and run through a couple of model middlegames for each.
• Time‑control awareness: practice with a visible clock checkpoint in the last 2–3 minutes of a game to mimic blitz pressure and train staying calm while calculating.

Notes on the provided openings performance data

In summary, your results look strongest in a broad set of openings and particularly where you can apply practical play rather than memorized lines. Use this as confidence to build a tight, reliable set of ideas for your go‑to openings, and fill in any gaps with a few well understood middlegame plans.

If you want a focused practice template

Try this weekly cycle: Monday–Wednesday focus on tactics and a single opening concept; Thursday–Friday review two recent blitz games with a quick analysis of 2 critical moments in each; Saturday practice a short blitz set (5+0 to 3+0) followed by endgame drills; Sunday rest or light review of patterns.

Encouragement and next steps

You’re already showing strong practical results across a variety of openings. The next step is to convert that adaptability into consistent short‑term reliability: better time management, cleaner endgames, and a compact, well understood opening plan. With these adjustments, you should see your short‑term results stabilize while your longer‑term trend continues to improve.