Sebastien Maze GM

Constructive Feedback for Sebastien Maze

Quick Stats

Peak blitz rating: 2854 (2020-12-25)  •  Peak rapid rating: 2641 (2021-08-11)

Activity patterns:

What You’re Doing Well

• Sharp tactical vision. Your victories against Redfighter123 and CoachRoma show crisp calculation and the confidence to convert material advantages even under time pressure.
• Practical opening choices with White. The repeated use of the Torre Attack (e.g. the game vs. dov erbeme) yields comfortable middlegames where you understand typical ideas (Bh4–g3, h-pawn lifts, pressure on the c-file).
• Fighting spirit. You keep pieces on the board and look for chances; several opponents collapsed in inferior endgames or on the clock.

Main Improvement Themes

1. Pawn-Storm Discipline (Black)

In many losses you push …f5/…g5/…h5 early, weakening dark squares and your king’s shelter. A critical example (loss vs. doverbeme):

• Evaluate pawn breaks with the question “What squares am I leaving behind?” • When playing setups like the Modern, Benoni or Pterodactyl, delay …f5 until your king is safer (often after …Kh8 & …Re8). • Study model games by GMs who handle these structures conservatively (e.g. Kamsky in the Modern/Benoni).

2. Early Resignations / Tilt Control

Several resignations occur before move 20 with equal material but strategic discomfort. Insert a 10-second “reset ritual” after blunders: sit back, breathe, and scan for counter-chances. You often out-calculate opponents later—give yourself that chance.

3. Endgame Technique

In the win vs. CoachRoma you needed 50+ moves to convert a pawn up rook endgame. Recommendation: Solve 3 endgame studies daily (rook + pawn vs. rook, rook endings with extra passer, & “Lucena/Philidor” patterns). Your tactical strength will then translate into smoother conversions.

4. Opening Depth vs. 1.d4

You employ a wide set of sidelines (…b6 Indian, Czech Benoni, Pseudo-Pterodactyl, Modern).

• Adopt one solid mainline (e.g. Queen’s Indian or Classical Benoni) and study 15 moves deep with plans, not just moves.
• Use training games vs engines set to “Strong Club” to practise typical middlegames without wild pawn pushes.

Suggested Training Plan (6-weeks)

1. Week 1–2: Build a “safe” Black repertoire vs. d4 (pick Queen’s Indian or Nimzo). Drill key positions on Chessable / Opening Explorer.
2. Week 2–3: Endgame boot camp – 30 rook-and-pawn positions. Aim for 80 % accuracy in tablebase comparison.
3. Week 3–4: Analyse every loss with a coach/engine focusing on pawn pushes. Tag each critical decision as “Sound / Unsound”.
4. Week 4–5: Play 20 rapid games without premoves; add a 5-minute post-game blunder check to de-tilt.
5. Week 5–6: Thematic sparring in balanced Benoni structures vs a training partner. No pawn moves on the f-file before move 15 unless forced.

Your Signature Wins to Replicate

Study and annotate your own miniature vs. Maitre_s (Old Benoni, king walk & mate) to understand why the attack worked so smoothly. It’s a blueprint for when to unleash tactics—after development & central control, not before.

Final Thoughts

Your creativity and tactical sharpness are clear Grand-Master assets. By adding a layer of positional restraint—especially with Black—and polishing basic endgames, you will convert even more of your promising positions and minimise quick collapses. Keep the fighting spirit, just anchor it with structure!