smok56 IM

Hi smok56 – Performance Review & Action Plan

Your Snapshot

• Current strength: solid high-2200s/low-2300s in Daily play
• Historical best: 2355 (2020-12-08)
• Preferred openings: 1.d4 as White (Nimzo-Indian, QGD/Slav structures); Sicilian Scheveningen/Keres as Black; occasional Pirc/English set-ups.

Where You Shine

• Opening preparation & flexibility
  Your recent win vs RIPOL shows confident handling of both main-line Nimzo ideas (6.a3, 8.Bg5) and the sideline 17.Rd7!?, punishing an imprecise …d5 break.
• Tactical alertness
  You regularly convert middlegame initiative into material (e.g. 24.Bxg6!, 27.Ra7!, 39.Rexe6).
• Practical decision-making
  In complex positions you choose plans that keep the opponent under pressure rather than hunting for “computer-perfect” lines. This is ideal for Daily time controls.

Growth Opportunities

• Black vs the Keres Attack (6.g4).
  Your database shows both wins and a costly loss (Schlumpf88, 2021). The common thread in setbacks is queenside pawn weaknesses after …Rb8/b5 without completing development. Consider:
  • Switching move-orders: 6…a6 or 6…e5 immediately to discourage g4-g5/h4 ideas.
  • Adopting the modern “…h5 early” antidote to blunt White’s expansion.
• Rook & pawn endings.
  In the Schlumpf88 game your pieces reached an active set-up but converting proved tricky. Refresh fundamental themes: cutting the king, outside passed pawn creation, & rook behind the passer. A dozen practical exercises will pay big dividends.
• Handling cramped structures (Pirc/English losses).
  When you allow opponents to claim the centre (e.g. 12…Ng6?! vs ParsNOT…) the resulting space disadvantage hampered counter-play. Work on plans involving timely …c5 or …e5/e4 breaks and piece re-routing (…Nf8–g6–f4 etc.).

Opening-Lab: Concrete Tasks

1. Prepare a 10-move “core repertoire” file vs 6.g4 Keres using either:
   1. Classical Scheveningen: 6…e6 7.g4 h6 8.h4 h5.
   2. Najdorf transposition: 6…e6 7.g4 d5!? (modern antidote).
   Add two illustrative games for each.
2. Revisit the Slav piece sac line you employed vs ozimov13 (22.d5 Nd4 23.Re7!). Analyse why it worked and store typical motifs in your notes.

Model Game (quick replay)

Training Dashboard

Track your consistency with the interactive charts below:

Next 4-Week Plan

Final Thought

You already possess strong strategic understanding and a sharp eye for tactics. By tightening a few critical endgame and defensive skills you are well-positioned to break into the mid-2300s consistently. Keep the passion burning and good luck in your next matches!