Eric Rosen IM

Eric, here is some focused, constructive feedback based on your latest Blitz session ( 2901 (2025-02-20) ≈ 2800):

What is working well

• Opening initiative as White. Your London-with-early Bf4 consistently netted pleasant middlegames. The game vs. kasimovr21 (1-0) shows textbook central expansion with 18.d4 and 23.e5, seizing the dark squares.
• Tactical alertness in time pressure. In the same win you found 32.Ng1! and 33.Nxc5+, converting a messy position with seconds on the clock.
• Endgame creativity. Against GryffindorGambit you converted R+N vs. R with clever king walks while milking the clock.

Recurring pain points

1. Time-pressure self-inflicted. Six of the seven recent losses were decided by flag or last-second blunders. Even in winning positions (e.g. vs. kasimovr21 as Black) you reached move 60 with <5 seconds.
   • Practical fix: make a “10-second rule” — if you dip under 10 seconds before move 25, force a trade or simplify.
   • Training: play 1-0 bullet with increment disabled to rehearse insta-move technique.
2. Conversion vs. stubborn defence. Games against Andrey Drygalov and Xtrmntr78 swung from +4 to lost. In both you allowed perpetual counterplay on the open files.
   • Checklist before advancing pawns: “Are all my back-rank squares protected?” Simple prophylaxis such as h2-h3 or a2-a4 would have prevented cheap mates.
3. Queen’s-pawn sidelines as Black. Naroditsky’s 4.a3 line (loss) and several London System games show you drifting into passive structures (…Ba7,…Bb8).
   • Recommendation: add one forcing reply you trust after 4.a3 — either 4…a5 (holding the pawn) or 4…e6 5.dxc5 Bxc5 aiming for quick …d5 breaks.

Micro-themes to polish

Targeted drills for the coming week

• 40-move no-increment drill. Set a 2-minute timer and play engine defence from +6 positions; goal = convert with >30 seconds left.
• Queen & rook vs. minor pieces endgames. Several games ended with mis-co-ordinated heavy pieces. Use Lichess table-base trainer for KR vs. KRP endings.
• Opening sprint. For each side of the London/Pirc, prepare one memorised 12-move branch you can blitz out, banking time for later.

Progress tracker

Keep an eye on momentum rather than single ratings swings:

Final encouragement

Your creativity and sense of humour are still your super-powers. Shore up the technical gaps above, and the flags/blunders will dry up. Looking forward to the next Opposite-colored Bishop Madness on stream!