Joel Banawa IM

Hi Joel, here is some personalized feedback on your recent play.

👍 What’s working well

• Resourcefulness in rook endings. Your most-recent win vs isaiahdaniel showed good practical play once the position simplified. Moves 47-57 demonstrated patient technique: limiting counterplay first, then activating the rook.
• Opening variety. You comfortably switch between 1.e4 and 1.d4, and you handle the Caro-Kann both as White (Exchange line) and Black (Two-Knights).
• Dynamic pawn breaks. In several wins you used f- and g-pawn thrusts (e.g. 25.f4 in the Slav win) to seize the initiative. This is a clear strength—keep nurturing it.
• Peak results. 2776 (2022-01-29) and 2397 (2018-03-01) indicate you have already crossed key rating milestones—proof that your current approach delivers results.

🔍 Recurring issues to address

1. Time-pressure collapses. Four of your last six losses came from either flagging or blundering in <15 s. Use micro-disciplines: decide before move 20 how low you are willing to sink on the clock and move instantly in non-critical positions.
2. Over-extension on the wing. In the Modern loss you advanced pawns (f4-e5-c4-c5) without enough backup, allowing …Nd5 and …Ne7-g6 to target them. Before pushing, run the checklist “Can my minor pieces support the squares I’m giving up?”
3. Handling counter-sacrifices. You often accept material (e.g. 34.Rxf6 in the same game) while the enemy pieces surge. Train with positions where the opponent has two active pieces for a pawn—declining the sac is sometimes stronger.
4. Converting clear advantages. In several wins you were up a clean pawn yet needed 70+ moves. Study technical wins with one extra pawn (rook & pawn vs rook, bishop vs knight) to shorten the grind and save clock.

Opening snapshot

The following diagram is from move 17 of the loss vs isaiahdaniel. Black has just played 17…Nd5:

Instead of 18.c5?! consider the quieter 18.Rb3! followed by Qd2 and c4; you keep the strong center without giving Black the Nd5-c3 jump.

Targeted training plan (4 weeks)

1. Endgame hour – 20 min/day on rook-and-pawn endings (CT-Art or Chessable course).
2. Rapid review – annotate one of your own games every two days; focus on the first critical decision that cost ≥2 minutes.
3. Calculation sprints – 3 puzzles/day, but force yourself to verbalize candidate moves → forcing line → evaluation before moving.
4. Opening tune-up – Build a side line vs the Modern (…g6) such as 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Bd3/Be2 with early c3-d4. Drill 10 games in the browser against 2400-bot to feel the structures.

Progress tracker

Use the dashboards below to watch for immediate feedback:

• Hourly results:
• Weekly rhythm:

Final thought

Your tactical alertness and willingness to fight for the initiative are already master-level. If you plug the time-pressure leaks and polish late-endgame technique, 2600+ blitz is a realistic near-term goal. Enjoy the climb!