Mikhael Garakov IM

Overview of Recent Performance

Looking at your recent blitz games, Mikhael, your overall performance shows that you play solid chess, often engaging well with tactical positions and making good strategic plans. Your opening choices, especially in various Sicilian Defense lines, Scotch Game, and Modern openings, demonstrate a preference for dynamic and complex positions where you can leverage your skills.

What You're Doing Well

• Opening preparation: You have a deep understanding of multiple opening systems including the Sicilian Defense variations and Scotch Game, with win rates around or above 45%. This makes you comfortable from the early stages of the game.
• Attacking and tactical play: In your wins, you often created strong attacking chances — for example, advancing pawns at the right moments and coordinating your pieces effectively to pressure your opponent’s king.
• Endgame technique: Some recent victories were achieved by persistent pressure in the endgame, showing good technique and the ability to convert slight advantages.
• Time management: Winning some games on time suggests you manage practical time pressure well, which is critical in blitz.

Areas to Improve

• Consistency under pressure: Several losses came from critical moments where a stronger opponent capitalized on slipping positions or time issues. Work on maintaining accuracy and calm in tense positions to reduce critical errors.
• Time usage: While you have won on time in some games, other losses on time indicate room to balance your clock better. Aim to allocate time efficiently in all phases, avoiding drastic rushes that lead to mistakes.
• Opening versatility and novelty: Although your opening repertoire is strong, exploring fresh ideas or deeper novelties in your main lines like the Sicilian Alapin or Taimanov variations could give you an edge over familiar opponents.
• Handling complex endgames: Some losses occurred in later stages where small inaccuracies led to disadvantage; sharpening your endgame knowledge can improve your chances to hold or convert positions.

Suggestions for Training

• Study key theoretical novelties and recent games in your preferred openings to keep your repertoire sharp and unpredictable.
• Practice blitz time management by playing with a clock and reviewing critical decisions where you used too little or too much time.
• Focus on tactical and calculation training under time pressure to enhance accuracy in blitz scenarios.
• Review your losses thoroughly, especially moments leading to time loss or tactical oversights, to identify patterns and prevent similar mistakes.
• Train endgame positions relevant to your games, such as rook endgames and minor piece endings.

Monitoring Progress

Your recent rating history shows a very solid performance around the 2600+ mark with some fluctuations. The recent small rating decreases in the last one to three months could be temporary setbacks from tough games or experimenting with new techniques. However, your longer-term trend indicates steady improvement.

Maintaining focus and addressing the areas above can help you minimize dips and keep pushing your level higher.