Meelis Kanep GM

Hi Meelis!

You have an energetic, tactical style that often overwhelms opponents rated 2500+ in blitz. Your recent victories feature:

• Consistent pressure in the King’s Indian (both sides) and Trompowsky-style positions.
• Excellent calculation when material is imbalanced – e.g. the exchange-down win with 19…Nc6!! followed by the decisive counter-sacrifice 40…Rxe5.
• Confidence in pawn storms (h-pawn pushes vs the Modern & Pirc) that create concrete threats instead of slow manoeuvring.

Key areas to polish

1. Clock management
   Your only recent loss came from a completely playable position that flagged at move 43. You regularly enter critical positions with <10 s; aim to keep 25-30 s before the late middlegame by:
   • Trusting your preparation in familiar structures – play moves instantly up to the first genuine decision.
   • Using the opponent’s time to plan two candidate lines so you are never “surprised”.
2. Endgame conversion
   When you are ahead, you sometimes choose the flashiest continuation instead of the cleanest. Train the “simplify then convert” habit:
   • Exchange queens when up material unless it ruins pawn structure.
   • Re-check basic rook endings every week (Philidor, Lucena) – they occur in >20 % of your games.
3. Prophylaxis & defensive awareness
   Two recent defeats show pieces drifting to the wrong wing while opposite-side play hit your king. Add a quick “What can my opponent do?” question to each move to spot tactics like the coming fork or back-rank ideas.
4. Openings – deepen, don’t widen
   Your current repertoire already scores well (see
   ). Instead of adding systems, aim to:
   • Memorise concrete KID forcing lines after 9.d5 Bxf3 10.Bxf3 Na5 11.Be2.
   • Prepare one quiet alternative versus 2.Bg5 (Trompowsky) when opponents avoid mainline theory.

Sample study position

Try to find the simplest win instead of the flash tactic in the diagram below (Black to move, you were winning but lost on time):

Training plan for the next 4 weeks

Quick stats

Current peak: 2697 (2022-07-26). Your overall trend is positive (see

Motivational nudge

You already beat several 2600-level blitz players this month. With sharper time handling and endgame confidence, 2600+ can become your new normal. Keep the pieces active, keep the clock healthy, and you’ll get there!