Uliana Kusakina WCM

Feedback for Uliana Kusakina

Uliana, you've demonstrated solid understanding and technique in your recent games, especially in the opening and middlegame phases. Here are some specific points of feedback to help you improve further:

Strengths

• Opening Preparation: You consistently choose principled setups such as the Slav Defense and King's Indian Fianchetto variations. Your knowledge of typical plans and pawn structures in these openings gives you a comfortable position early on.
• Positional Awareness: You utilize your bishops effectively, often fianchettoing your dark-squared bishop and applying pressure on key diagonals. Your control of central squares and space is generally good.
• Calculation and Tactics: In critical moments you find strong tactical shots—like exchanges that leave you with a more active position or winning material. For instance, your precise handling in complex middlegame positions shows good tactical vision.

Areas for Improvement

• Endgame Technique: Some of your losses suggest difficulty in converting or defending in the endgame, especially in rook and pawn endings. Practice fundamental endgame principles such as active king placement, opposition, and pawn breakthroughs to enhance your results.
• Time Management: There are moments where you spent noticeably less time in complex positions and were under clock pressure later on. Try to allocate your time more evenly to avoid hurried decisions in critical phases.
• King Safety: In a few games, the king became slightly exposed after moving prematurely or not castling promptly. Prioritize securing your king early, which will allow you to focus on attacking or defending more confidently.
• Piece Coordination: Occasionally, your pieces can become a bit uncoordinated, especially when trading prematurely or allowing opponent activity in open files. Improving piece harmony and controlling open lines will enhance your overall position strength.

Recommended Focus

1. Study and practice basic and intermediate endgames to sharpen your conversion skills and defensive technique.
2. Work on consistent time management habits, allocating time according to position complexity.
3. Review your games to identify specific moments when king safety was compromised and learn preventive measures.
4. Practice tactical puzzles regularly to maintain and improve your calculation sharpness.

Keep up the hard work, Uliana! Your foundation is strong, and with targeted improvements, your overall chess strength will continue to rise.