Coach Chesswick
Hi Nikolaos, personalized feedback based on your recent blitz games
What you already do well
- Sound opening repertoire. As Black you employ the Nimzo-Indian and Scheveningen structures confidently, while with White you handle Queen-Pawn systems and the Anti-Grünfeld smoothly. You often emerge from the opening with at least equal play.
- Activity-first mindset. In many wins (e.g. vs. spongyexorcis and NMMustang6000) you willingly give pawns to seize the initiative, showing good tactical vision and the courage to keep pieces humming.
- Calculation under pressure. Even in time scrambles you spot forcing ideas such as …Rc4, …Bxd4 or the exchange sac …Rxe3 against Dutch setups. This tactical sharpness is a real asset.
Key areas to focus on next
- Clock management
• Four of the last six losses were on time with playable (sometimes better) positions.
• Goal: arrive at move 20 with ≥40 % of your initial time. Try a simple “10-second rule”: move within 10 s unless the position is critical.
(use this chart to discover when your concentration is highest). - Converting technical positions
• Against Mi-Wan (Dutch Fianchetto) you reached an equal ending but allowed your pawns to become static and eventually resigned a lost king-and-pawn ending.
• Drill the “four must-know rook endings” and typical outside passed pawn scenarios 15 minutes per day. - Prophylaxis & king safety
• In the loss to zeigmata your 18.h4 weakened dark squares; …Ne4–Rfd8-Rxb3 punished it instantly.
• Add one question to your thinking routine: “What is my opponent’s next half-threat?” This prevents self-inflicted weaknesses. - Fine-tune your mainline Nimzo
• Several games reached the diagram after 4.Qc2 O-O 5.a3 Bxc3 6.Qxc3 d5. You sometimes choose 7.cxd5 and sometimes 7.Nf3 or 7.Bg5.
• Pick one move-order as your main weapon and learn the thematic plans (minority attack vs. kingside expansion). Consistency will save time on the clock.
Action plan (next 4 weeks)
| Week | Main task | How to measure |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Time-management drills in 3|2 games | <20 % losses on time |
| 2 | Rook & pawn endings study | Win 3 test positions vs. engine |
| 3 | Deep dive: Nimzo 7.cxd5 line | Create a one-page “plan sheet” |
| 4 | Self-analysis of every loss (before engine) | 3-sentence summary per game |
Quick reference corner
• Current peak blitz rating:
• Glossary refresher: prophylaxis, minority attack, outside passed pawn
Motivational snippet
Remember this finish?
That game shows your ability to squeeze in long endings when you avoid time trouble.
Keep the momentum going!
With sharper clock handling and a bit more endgame polish you have every chance to push beyond your current peak. Happy studying and good luck at the board!