Manu David FM

Hi Manu David!

These notes are based on your most recent blitz/bullet session, especially the set of games against 10seconds3kchallengepls and NowayJosey. Overall you are playing at a very strong level (current peak: 3102 (2025-10-29)), but there are several clear “quick wins” that can lift your results even further.

What you already do well

• Sharp tactical vision. Your wins feature clean combinations (e.g. 28…Rxf2+!! and the follow-up mating net). You rarely miss a direct tactic that wins material.
• Willingness to seize space. As White you push d4/e5 quickly, and as Black you answer 1.e4 with the fighting Sicilian-French set-up (c5 e6 d5).
• Resourceful defence. In your longest win you saved an inferior rook ending and eventually flagged the opponent—good practical play under pressure.

Biggest gains available

1. Time management. Four of your last five losses were on the clock while you still had drawable or even winning chances. A single ½-second increment game every day will train you to move earlier instead of hunting for “the perfect move.”
2. Transition to the end-game. You often push pawns in front of your king during the late middlegame (…h5, …g5). When they get traded you land in pawn endings a tempo behind. Drill a few classic pawn races to feel typical triangulation & opposition ideas.
3. Diversity in the opening. The c5 e6 d5 structure is solid, but strong opponents are reaching pleasant IQP positions against you. Add one extra weapon (try the Najdorf, or the pure French) to stay less predictable.

Opening snapshot

Typical Black sequence:

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 e6 3 d4 cxd4 4 exd5 exd5 5 Bb5+ …

After 5…Nc6 you often accept an isolated d5 pawn. Two simple upgrades:

• On 7.Re1+ play Be7 instead of Be6; keep your dark-squared bishop to guard d5.
• Slot the queen on c7 (not d7) so that …Bd6 comes with pressure against h2/h7.

Key moment from your loss #1

The chain reaction that cost the game:

The move 25…h6? drove your own queen backward and allowed the exchange sac on d4. Instead, calculate the forcing line 25…Nc6! when the knight guards the entry squares and you keep the extra pawn.

Middle-game focus

• When you have an IQP remember the four classical plans (advance, piece pressure, kingside attack, minor-piece play). In several games you aimed for all four at once; pick one and play quickly.
• Convert an exchange up position by activating rooks before pushing pawns. In the resignation vs. NowayJosey your rook stayed passive on a8 until move 18.

End-game checklist

Before every queen trade ask:

1. Who wins the pawn race?
2. Can I keep control of the only open file?
3. Will my king enter first?

This 5-second check would have saved you in two time-forfeit losses.

Time-saving habits

• Adopt a default reply in familiar structures (e.g. vs. Bb5+ premove Nc6).
• Use the “Thinking on opponent’s time” rule: decide your top candidate move before their clock hits 0:10.
• Play more games at 2 + 1; the increment forces good habits without losing the bullet feel.

Two-week improvement menu

1. Day 1-4: 15 puzzles/day + annotate each bullet game for 5 minutes.
2. Day 5-7: Watch one model game with the IQP and summarise its plan in one sentence.
3. Day 8-10: End-game drill: rook vs. pawns & king-and-pawn races (10 minutes).
4. Day 11-14: Play 20 games of 2 + 1 using a new Sicilian line (Najdorf or pure French) to build a second repertoire branch.

Your performance trends

Quick glance at the data:

• Best hourly win-rate: 23-24 UTC
• Sundays are your strongest day

Glossary

Hover any unfamiliar term: zugzwang, opposition, IQP.

Keep the pieces active, play faster, and enjoy your chess!