Julia Alboredo FM

Hi Julia!

Congratulations on reaching 2621 (2024-02-10) and on the recent attacking wins (e.g. the Modern-Defense game vs jarred-vanderbilt). Your games show excellent fighting spirit and imagination. Below is some focused feedback to help you convert even more of those sharp positions into points.

1. Opening choices & early middlegames

• White – “h-pawn spear” systems
  • Your early h4-h5 pushes versus the Modern, Caro-Kann and Sicilian create practical problems for opponents.
  • Be sure the pawn storm is supported: in one loss vs Jmimanuchess you advanced kingside pawns while the queen-side fell. Develop the remaining pieces (especially the c1 bishop) before committing further pawns.
• Black – Open Sicilian (Dragon set-ups)
  • Five of the last seven losses came from sharp Dragon structures. Typical pattern: White sacs on b7/a7 → your king stuck on e8 or rook left on a8.
  • Action plan:
    – Add a solid back-up line (e.g. the Najdorf with …e6 or the Accelerated Dragon with …d6-d5).
    – Memorise the critical move order 9…Qa5 vs 9.0-0-0 lines to discourage Bxa7 ideas.
    – When castling short in the Dragon, avoid pawn grabs and finish development first (…Re8, …Bd7, castle, then …Rc8).
• Practical repertoire tip
  Time is precious in 3-minute blitz. A less theory-heavy defence such as the French Rubinstein or the Caro-Kann Classical could save prep time and reduce tactical shoot-outs.

2. Typical tactical themes

• Loose pieces & skewers – In the loss to itachi333x2 24…Ne7+ won instantly because your queen and rook were lined up. In daily tactics training, filter for “skewer” and “loose piece” motifs.
• Unprotected back rank – Several defeats end with a back-rank mate or mate threat (e.g. …Qc3# vs Claudio Paduano). Adopt the habit of sliding a rook to f1/f8 once the first wave of exchanges finishes.
• Conversion when ahead – In winning games you sometimes allow unnecessary counter-play (e.g. the long endgame vs jovan760). After gaining material, force trades and simplify without pawn weaknesses.

3. Endgame & time management

• Endgames – You already convert most extra-pawn endings, but technique versus knight + pawn endings can improve. Set up a couple of table-base positions and practise the “W-maneuver” and king-activation drills.
• Clock usage – Many losses come with <10 s on your clock while still needing to defend tough positions. Try the 5-second “decision rule”: move every 5 s in quiet positions; invest extra only in tactical spots.

4. Highlight game for study

Revisit move 17: choosing between the safe 17…Qxf6 and the game line. Strong decision!

5. Training priorities for the next two weeks

1. Play 20 blitz games with the French Rubinstein or Caro-Kann as Black to feel a calmer pawn structure.
2. Solve 50 tactic puzzles focused on skewers and back-rank mates (Theme filter on Chess.com).
3. Analyse each loss for one critical turning point and write a one-sentence lesson; cumulative learning beats deep but rare study sessions.

Progress dashboards

Keep up the creative play, Julia. Tuning the defensive side of your game will let that attacking talent shine even brighter. Good luck at the board!