Ansh Shah NM

Hi Ansh, here’s some focused feedback based on your recent games!

What you’re already doing well

• Opening awareness. Your French-Defence and Queen’s-Gambit-Declined setups show a good grasp of classical pawn structures. In several wins you smoothly reached favourable middlegames without burning much clock.
• Endgame technique. In the win against alexandermatos you converted an extra pawn with calm manoeuvring (…Nf2+, …Nd3, …Ne6). Choosing accurate knight routes in a simplified position is a clear strength.
• Practical tactics under pressure. You often spot resourceful counter-shots (e.g. 25…d3!! in the same game) that turn static positions into dynamic ones.

Key areas to improve

1. Time management.
   Six of your last eight losses were on the clock. Even in wins you sometimes reached <10 s with a winning position. Try the “Bronstein 15/10 rule”: aim to have at least 15 % of your starting time left after move 10. If that fails, force yourself to make a move within 10 s to break the hesitation cycle.
   Tools: • Use an increment (3 + 2) for practice • Play themed positions and spend a max of 30 s per move.
2. Conversion against stubborn resistance.
   In the loss to Gogogogogogogogo5 you achieved 0.00 on the engine evaluation after 24…Rce8, yet drifted and resigned. When up material, simplify ruthlessly:
   • Exchange the opponent’s most active piece first.
   • Keep your king centralised (you left yours on g8 too long).
   • Set a mental “no-blunder barrier”: before each move ask, “What’s my opponent’s only threat?”
3. Handling counter-play on the flank.
   A recurring motif is advancing the h- or a- pawn without enough support (e.g. vs. rrgchessmaster05). Review the ideas of a minority attack and backward pawn to understand when a pawn thrust is sound or premature. See prophylaxis for guidance.

Model position to study

This fragment illustrates: (1) establishing an advanced passed pawn, (2) coordinating rooks behind it, and (3) keeping the knight active. Replay it slowly and look for alternative defensive tries for White.

Recommended study plan (4 weeks)

Your stats snapshot

Peak Blitz rating: 2675 (2020-08-11). Keep an eye on the progress via

Final encouragement

You’re already playing strong, principled chess. Tightening up time usage and refining your “conversion technique” will yield the fastest rating gains. Good luck, and enjoy the climb!