Fernando Valenzuela IM

Fernando, here’s a tailored review of your recent games

What you are doing well

• Dynamic piece play. You rarely shy away from activity. The following finish against papas_con_nuggets shows how well you can keep the initiative:
  
  
  
• Opening variety. You comfortably switch between the Italian, Smith-Morra, French, Caro-Kann, off-beat 1…a5 setups, etc. This broad base keeps opponents guessing and has helped you reach 2800 (2025-06-16).
• Tactical alertness. In several wins you spot forcing moves quickly (e.g., 22.Rf1 in the same game, or 22.Nf6+!! in your Smith-Morra win vs cafuca).
• Conversion skill. Once ahead you usually trade into won endings efficiently; resignations and checkmates arrive before move 35 in many victories.

Most urgent improvement areas

1. Time management. Two of your recent losses (vs GP9isback23 and delphin11) came from completely winning or equal positions that you flagged. Try a simple rule: after every 10 moves glance at the clock; if under 60 s, switch to “safe mode” (easy plans, no deep calculation).
2. Pawn-storm timing vs fianchetto setups. In the Caro-Kann Exchange against Andrej Ljepic you launched 11.Rg1  12.g4 too early and your pawn became a hook for …f4/…h5.
   Critical moment:
   
   
   
   Before pushing the g-pawn be sure your centre is solid and your king safe. Study the classical plans in the Panov and Exchange Caro-Kann for model timing.
3. Prophylaxis in the middlegame. Opponents have exploited unattended squares (…Nd5 vs your French, …Nc4+ fork vs your Queen’s Pawn games). Add a “blunder check” routine: on each move ask “what is my opponent’s next threat?” This simple habit prevents many oversights and trains prophylaxis.
4. Endgame technique vs knight pieces. The long loss to GP9isback23 featured a holdable R+N vs R endgame. Spend 15 minutes with the basic Lucena & Philidor rook endings and common knight fork tricks; your over-the-board confidence will rise.

Action plan for the next two weeks

• Play three 15 | 10 games daily and record the time left after moves 20 & 30. Aim to arrive at move 30 with ≥40 s.
• Review 5 master games in the Caro-Kann Exchange focusing on move orders before pawn storms.
• Do 20 “defensive move” puzzles each day (e.g., choose the puzzle rush setting and intentionally look for your opponent’s threat first).
• Finish the session with one theoretical rook endgame drill on a training board.

Progress trackers

Stay sharp, enjoy the process, and let me know how your next set of games goes!