Zoran Jovanovic GM

Constructive Feedback for Zoran Jovanovic

Your Current Snapshot

• Peak rating:
• Recent performance trends:

What You Are Doing Well

• Dynamic Opening Choices – You regularly steer the game into rich, unbalanced positions (e.g. the Pirc with 3.f4 and the aggressive 4.Ne2 vs the MacCutcheon). This yields plenty of tactical chances.
• Tactical Alertness – Spotting 21.Nd5! in your win vs MKlenburg shows excellent ability to exploit loose pieces and exposed kings. See the full sequence here:
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• Pressing for the Initiative – Even as Black you choose counter-attacking setups (…d6/…g6 or the Closed Sicilian structure) and are not afraid to accept structural weaknesses in return for activity.

Main Improvement Areas

• Time Management
  Three of your last five defeats were on time – including against Maxim Novik where you reached an end-game with equal material but flagged. Your tactical style is energy-hungry; ensure the clock does not become your worst enemy.
• Technical Endgames
  In several games you entered rook & pawn endings a pawn up but could not convert before the clock ran out. Systematic knowledge of rook endgame “technical drills” (e.g. the Lucena, Philidor and winning plans with an outside passed pawn) will let you play these positions almost on autopilot and save precious seconds.
• Predictability in Black Openings
  Most games with Black show the same …d6/…g6 setup. Strong opponents will tailor a specific anti-setup line. Adding one additional mainline defence (e.g. the Sicilian Najdorf or French) keeps you less predictable and broadens your understanding of pawn structures.

Practical Recommendations

1. Adopt a Clock Routine – Decide before the game to invest no more than 10 seconds on your first 15 moves unless the position demands deep calculation. This simple rule prevents early time sinks.
2. Weekly Endgame Workout – Spend 20 minutes per session solving 3-4 rook endgame studies with a physical board and a two-minute timer. Aim to find the winning plan quickly, reinforcing thematic ideas such as building a bridge or forcing zugzwang.
3. Secondary Black Repertoire – Prepare a surprise line you enjoy (for instance, the French Rubinstein). Use sparring games to gain confidence, then sprinkle it into tournament play so opponents cannot prepare against a single system.
4. Fast-Finish Drills – Set up winning positions with 20 seconds vs 20 seconds and practise converting against a training partner or engine set to move instantly. This builds “muscle memory” for high-pressure finishes.

Positive Mindset

Remember, the fact that most of your losses come on time rather than on the board is encouraging – it means the chess content is strong. By polishing your clock handling and technical endings, you will convert many of those zeros into ones without changing your creative playing style.

Good luck in your next events, Zoran – and keep the pieces active!