Hi Ralf, here’s a personalised performance review based on your latest blitz sessions.
1. Quick Profile
• Current blitz level: ≈2150 • Best recorded: 2304 (2024-05-06)
• Preferred openings: English / King’s Indian structures as White, Alekhine & Indians as Black.
• Typical game length: 23–30 moves • Main result driver: opponents’ resignations or your flag.
2. What You’re Doing Well
- Opening variety with purpose. In the recent win against IsaacAbdulsalam 12203726 you switched smoothly from an English set-up into a King’s-Indian attack, then punished …c5 with 15 Nxd6!–16 Bxa6 to collect material.
- Tactical alertness. You consistently spot loose pawns (e.g. 14 Qxb7 vs Tarantulix) and unprotected pieces. Your calculation depth is good for 3 + 2 time-control.
- Piece activity. You rarely leave pieces undeveloped; rooks often find open files by move 15 (Rd1/Rd6 pattern is frequent and strong).
3. Main Improvement Themes
- Clock Management – your #1 leak.
Five of the six recent losses (see games vs ooohhhmen, SilentPin0, yoann2080 × 3) were on time from playable or even slightly better positions.
• Aim to reach move 15 with ≥2 min still on the clock.
• Pre-move obvious recaptures in low-risk positions.
• Use the 2-second increment: make the safe move first, calculate on the opponent’s time.
• Train bullet once in a while to normalise playing confidently with <30 s. - Over-expansion with flank pawns.
Early …b5 in the Indian Game and …a5 in the KIA left holes (b5-c6 squares) and cost tempi. When opting for these breaks, be certain they support a concrete plan or tactic. - Converting Advantages.
Several wins ended on resignation while you still had <15 s. Practise simplification and basic rook endings to finish games efficiently and avoid flagging.
4. Spotlight Position – “Convert, don’t calculate forever”
After 14 Qxb7 you’re two pawns up with active pieces. Plan: trade queens or one pair of minor pieces and head to the endgame instead of spending 45 s searching for a knockout. Fast, solid technique would preserve both material and clock.
5. Opening Refinements
| Line | Suggestion |
|---|---|
| Alekhine: 1 e4 Nf6 2 e5 Nd5 3 c4 Nb6 | Review the Modern/Alburt move order; …d6 > …g6 is scoring well for you – keep it. Be wary of early …Bg7 allowing d4-d5 breaks (see win vs DucChiHuynh). |
| English with 1 c4 Nf6 2 Nc3 e6 3 e4 | Great surprise weapon, but prepare against 3…d5 transpositions into French/Queen’s Gambit lines. |
| Experimental 2…b5 (Indian Game) | Results are mixed; omit it in time-trouble sessions and stick to solid …d5/…e6 set-ups. |
6. Weekly Training Plan
- Time-control drill: Play 20 bullet games (1 + 1) focusing only on safe, instant moves to build intuitive speed.
- Endgame flashcards: 10 rook-and-pawn vs rook scenarios daily; goal is to finish under 60 s per puzzle.
- Tactics: 15-minute Puzzle Rush, then review missed motifs such as zwischenzug & zugzwang.
- Opening clean-up: Create a 12-move “mainline only” file for each side; rehearse until you can recite both colour repertoires in <90 s.
7. Motivation Corner
You already beat 2200-rated players this week and your tactical vision is undeniable. Small tweaks in clock handling and simplified conversion will push you toward 2300. Keep the momentum – good luck in your next sessions!