Dmitry Gurevich GM

Hi Dmitry,

Great job maintaining an aggressive, initiative–driven style! Your recent results show steady progress (2155 (2014-06-08)), and both the Sicilian Classical as Black and your 1.d4 systems with g3 are serving you well. Below is a blend of praise and practical advice so you can keep climbing.

What you are doing well

• Tactical sharpness. In multiple games you spotted resourceful ideas such as …Rh4! against the English Attack set-up and the mating net …Qh1+ followed by …Rf3# against IJsbeer23. Your alertness converts dynamic positions into concrete gains.
• Piece activity over material. You willingly give up a pawn (or allow structural damage) to seize open files and diagonals. This creates constant pressure and often forces the opponent into time trouble.
• Clock handling when ahead. Once you reach a winning or clearly better ending you usually keep the moves flowing and let the opponent struggle on the clock. That practical skill is crucial in 3-minute games.

Key areas to improve

1. Time management in the critical moments

You often win on time, but note how many of your own clocks dipped below 10 seconds while still in tense middlegames. Use your time surplus earlier to calculate forcing lines and avoid mutual blunders.

2. Pawn-structure awareness

The game against pawngrabber78 shows how a slightly loose structure (…c5, …h5, doubled f-pawns) can be targeted later. Before launching a flank pawn storm, check whether you can complete development first. A quick mental checklist helps:

1. King safety secured?
2. All minor pieces developed?
3. Center stable?

3. Converting advantages technically

In several wins you were objectively +5 or more yet needed the clock to finish the game. Work on fundamental endgames (rook vs pawn, opposite-colored bishops, rook + minor vs rook) so you can convert cleanly even with scant seconds left.

4. Opening refinement

Your repertoire is sound but can be tightened:

• Sicilian Classical: After 6.Rg1 g6 7.g4, consider 7…Bg7 8…h5 as you played, but delay …Rh4 until your queen covers d8 to meet Nf5 ideas. Studying one model game by Gelfand or Anand will clarify the move-order subtleties.
• Catalan-type structures: When you face …dxc4, spend a tempo with Qa4 or Ne5 to regain the pawn swiftly; in your win vs BoilingFrog you allowed …cxd4 and ended up fighting to equalize material.

Illustrative tactic

The finish against IJsbeer23 is worth memorising. Try replaying it and ask yourself at each move why the alternatives fail.

Training plan for the next month

1. 15 minutes daily tactics sprint. Focus on intermediate moves (see Zwischenzug).
2. 2 annotated master games per week in your main openings. Pause after the opening and predict 3 moves for each side.
3. Endgame drill: play out 10 rook-and-pawn positions versus an engine at +4 and convert within 40 seconds.
4. Weekend session: review your own blitz games with “Show Blunders” turned off; force yourself to find the mistakes unaided.

Progress trackers

Final thoughts

Your attacking instincts are excellent; pair them with improved structure management and endgame technique and you’ll be pushing 2300 blitz in no time. Keep the games coming, and let me know when you notch a milestone win so we can dissect it together.

Good luck and happy hunting!