Semyon Lomasov GM

Quick summary for Semyon Lomasov

You are playing confidently in sharp, attacking structures and converting practical chances. Recent games show strong kingside play and good endgame technique. Small tactical oversights and time pressure are the most frequent costs. Below are focused, actionable points with links to the exact games so you can review the moments I mention.

What you did well

• Consistent attacking intent. You push pawns and open lines on the kingside quickly to create concrete chances — great aggression in the Pirc-style game. See the attack vs ekurtz: Review vs ekurtz.
• Good endgame technique and activity. You keep rooks and queens active and convert small advantages; the long rook-and-pawn ending vs nigelshort shows good practical finishing skills: Review vs nigelshort.
• Opening repertoire is working. You get positions you like (pawn storms, closed/semiclosed center) and reach middlegames where you understand the plans. Keep using the lines that fit your style such as Pirc Defense and French Defense.
• Tactical eye under pressure. You find forcing continuations in complex positions rather than shying away from complications.

Main areas to improve

• Watch tactical invocations around your king and central squares. In the loss to whiteshark01 an opponent tactic involving a queen check and follow-up captures decided the game quickly. Review this game to see how a loose defender and a queen check changed the evaluation: Review vs whiteshark01.
• Time management. You win on time in some wins which is fine, but better time distribution will reduce blunders late in the game. Try to keep a consistent reserve (30 seconds) going into the final phase in 3-minute+ games.
• Simplification decisions. When ahead you sometimes allow exchanges that give the opponent counterplay. Before simplifying, check whether the resulting endgame preserves your winning plan or hands back activity.
• Avoid repetition when you can press. In the drawn game you repeated moves instead of differentiating your plan; look for ways to improve a small edge rather than accept a repetition immediately: Review the draw vs kawhilockdown.

Concrete moments to review (move-level focus)

• Vs ekurtz (Pirc-type) — study the pawn advance that forced the opponent to concede squares on the kingside and the queen invasion that dominated the back rank. Ask yourself: was each pawn push necessary or could a preparatory piece move have improved the result? Open this game.
• Vs nigelshort — you converted an endgame and opponent flagged. Replay the transition from middlegame to rook endgame and note how you increased piece activity and targeted weak pawns. Good model for practical technique: Open this game.
• Vs whiteshark01 — the sequence starting with the opponent's queen check was decisive. Run through candidate moves for yourself before the check: could you have neutralized the check or exchanged into a calmer position? Learn the defensive resources around the e3/d5 squares. Open this game.
• Vs kawhilockdown (draw) — repetitive rook maneuvers: explore alternatives on move 36 to 38 to keep a plan instead of repeating. Small change in plan selection often turns a draw into a win. Open this game.

Training plan - practical and short

• Daily 10-15 minute tactical session. Focus on pins, discovered attacks, forks and queen checks — these are recurring themes in your recent games.
• 2x per week 20 minute endgame work. Prioritize rook endgames and basic queen vs rook techniques. Convert the positions you reached vs nigelshort into training positions.
• One weekly opening review (15–30 minutes). Pick one line you play often — for example the Pirc or French Defense — and check typical middlegame plans, not only move orders.
• Clock habits: in blitz keep 20-30 seconds at move 20. Practice playing slower for the first 10 moves to build a time buffer for complications.

Quick drills you can do tonight

• Set 12 tactic puzzles (90 seconds each) and mark the ones you miss. Repeat the same set tomorrow and aim to reduce errors.
• Replay the loss vs whiteshark01 at 0.5x speed and pause before each capture. Ask yourself what the opponent's threat is and if a quieter defensive move exists.
• Play three 5+2 games focusing on not losing material to checks and forks. Aim to keep a 30 second reserve after move 12.

Notes and reminders

• Your opening win rates are strong in many systems, especially the closed Sicilian and French Advance. Lean into those lines in blitz when you're short on time — familiar positions reduce calculation load. Example strong lines: Sicilian Defense: Closed and French Defense: Advance Variation.
• Strength adjusted win rate shows you are performing above average against opposition. Keep sharpening the small edges and reduce tactical slips to push your rating upward again.
• When reviewing games, first tag the moment the evaluation changed for you (where you felt it swung). That pinpointing saves time and makes study efficient.

If you want, next

• Tell me which of the four games above you want a short move-by-move postmortem on and I will give 3 critical alternative moves and short reasons.
• Or upload one position you frequently reach and I will suggest a 2-move plan and common tactical pitfalls to watch.

Good work this session. Keep the attacking spirit and tighten the tactical nets and clock management. Small adjustments will convert many of those draws and losses into wins. GL!