Obed Susanto

Quick recap (recent run)

Nice streak — three wins, one loss in your most recent blitz session. You’re converting sharp tactical chances and you’ve been willing to play dynamically when opponents push pawns in front of their king (those g4/g5/g3 ideas showed up a few times).

• Highlight game to review:
  — the final tactic (a bishop check on the back rank) is a clean example of spotting a mating idea after a sequence of forcing moves.
• Opponents to note: robinsonjane, arjun-dabas, quenttius, heavensguide.

What you’re doing well

Keep these strengths — they’re the reason you’re improving quickly.

• Alert to tactical shots: you won games by sacrificing or winning material (examples: Rxf6 followed by a forced sequence, grabbing a corner rook and then using the queen and knights actively).
• Active piece play: you often put rooks and queen on aggressive files and used bishops and knights to create threats rather than waiting passively.
• Opportunistic against overextended pawn pushes: when opponents played g5/g4/g3 you found ways to punish the loosened structure.
• Good finishing instinct in simplified, tactical positions — you convert material and follow through with checks and captures instead of drifting.

Most important things to improve

Small adjustments will give the biggest rating lift in blitz.

• Time management: several games show you with under a minute in the late middlegame. In 3‑minute chess that often costs accuracy. Try to keep 30–45 seconds for the critical phase and spend less time on obvious book or forcing moves.
• King safety after sharp play: you’ve won with Bxf7+ and similar ideas — great — but in another game your king got a bit exposed after trades and opponent’s knights invaded. When you go for material, check escape squares and potential forks before simplifying.
• Tactical hygiene: before grabbing a material win (for example grabbing an a8 rook or a knight), do a fast one- or two-ply check for countershots (mate threats, forks, discovered attacks). That reduces “loose piece” risk and back-rank surprises.
• Handling knights on outposts: opponents used knights well to create perpetual threats or forks. Practice neutralizing an advanced enemy knight (push pawns to create squares, trade when favorable, blockade).

Concrete drills and plan (next 7–14 days)

Actionable, short drills tailored for blitz improvement.

• Daily 10–15 minutes: Tactics trainer focusing on forks, discovered attacks, and mating nets. Prioritize puzzles with themes you just saw (back‑rank, double attack, knight forks).
• 5 games of 3+0 with a clock focus: aim to keep 30–45s on the clock after move 10. If you dip under 20s, pause and adjust: play slightly more simply.
• One hour study: review 3 lost/close games — set up the final 10 moves and ask “Does opponent have a trick?” and “Where are the escape squares?” Make notes of recurring motifs.
• Opening sharpening: keep the simple Bishop’s Opening lines that suit you, but prepare 1–2 responses when opponents play early g5/g4. Learn one small idea to punish the pawn push (e.g., open lines to the king or target weak squares).

Practical blitz tips — what to do at the board

Short reminders to use while playing.

• Before any capture on the edge or corner, scan for forks or checks — “Is the piece hanging after my capture?”
• When an opponent advances pawns towards your king (g4/g5 style), ask: can I open the center quickly? If yes, calculate the forcing line; if no, neutralize by piece exchange and centralize rooks.
• Two-move routine for each turn: (1) check opponents’ checks, captures, threats; (2) pick a move that solves threats and maintains a plan. This prevents blunders in time trouble.
• Use premoves selectively — only when there’s a forced recapture or no tactical complications.

Opening notes (keep what works)

You have a variety of openings that score well. Maintain the ones that fit your tactical style but tighten a couple tiny lines.

• Stick with the aggressive lines (you’ve had success in the Barnes variations and some Sicilian/Alapin ideas). They create imbalances where you excel.
• For the Bishop’s Opening lines you play often, review the common reply ...g5/g4. A short trap or clean plan against that pawn-storm will earn you quick wins.
• Use study placeholders to remember: Bishop's Opening and the pawn-push reply themes.

Mini post‑mortem pointers from a few specific games

Concrete takeaways you can review in the PGN viewer above.

• vs robinsonjane — good use of Rxf6 to open lines. After the sacrifice you followed up with king capture and final check; that discipline closed counterplay quickly.
• vs arjun-dabas — excellent queenside tactics (winning the rook on a8). After grabbing material, prioritize simplifying into a won endgame rather than hunting more checks unnecessarily.
• loss vs heavensguide — you won material early with knight jumps and a rook grab, but later the opponent’s knights returned to create decisive infiltration. When ahead, aim to eliminate enemy active minor pieces or create safe king shelter.

Next session checklist

• 10–15 min tactics: focus on forks and discovered attacks
• 5 rapid blitz games with a clock discipline goal (keep >30s after move 10)
• Review 2 won and 2 lost games and write one sentence improvement idea per game
• Try one new defensive idea vs early g4 in your opening (practice it twice)

Motivation & milestones

Your one‑month jump (+84) and rising trend show rapid progress. Keep applying small, consistent fixes — tactical drills + clock discipline — and you’ll continue climbing.

• Short term goal: consolidate +30 rating in the next two weeks by reducing time-trouble blunders.
• Medium term: practice a safe trap to use versus early pawn storms and add it to your opening notes.

Placeholders & study items

Use these to jump back into study quickly:

• Replay the highlighted win: the embedded PGN above (use it to step through the tactics).
• Opening term to review: Bishop's Opening
• Opponent profiles for targeted review: robinsonjane, arjun-dabas, heavensguide