Tannaz Azali WFM

Hi Tannaz, here’s a focused review of your recent blitz play

Quick strengths snapshot

• Opening variety. You comfortably switch between 1.e4 and 1.d4, and as Black you alternate between the Nimzo/Bogo-Indian complex and Sicilian e6 lines – this keeps opponents guessing.
• Tactical alertness. Your recent win against sterpfi featured a nice …Nd3⁺–Qxd3 motif followed by relentless activity on the dark squares.
• Conversion technique. When you reach a materially winning position with time on the clock (e.g. the Berlin_wa11 game) you usually convert cleanly.

Key areas to tighten up

1. Pawn-storm risk management (Bogo-Indian game vs Shuvalov)
   The sequence below committed you to a kingside pawn race far from your castled king. After 9.Bd3 h6 10.Bh4 g5 11.Bg3 Ne4? your center collapsed quickly.
   
   
   • Instead of 9…h6, consider 9…c5 or 9…O-O first, keeping the structure intact.
   • When you do play …g5 in these lines, make sure you can follow with …f5 or …h5 to justify the space grab.
2. Time-management habits
   Two of your last four losses (dealshark & switlave) were flagged or decided in severe time trouble while still equal or better on the board.
   • Adopt a “30-second rule”: if you drop under 0:30, immediately simplify or force a perpetual check to remove decision trees.
   • Train one 3-minute session per day where you must reach move 20 with ≥2:00 on the clock – this builds a natural thinking cadence.
3. Endgame road-maps
   In the Nimzo-Indian loss to dealshark you reached a technically drawn R + R vs R + N ending but drifted.
   • Revisit the “third-rank defence” and rook-switch checks – they would have saved the a-pawn and the game.
   • Practical drill: play the rook-and-pawn endgame vs Stockfish level 4 starting from the diagram on move 60 for ten repetitions.
4. Clearer opening menu with White
   You alternate between English-style setups (c4/d4) and Vienna Gambit ideas (2.Nc3 & 3.Bc4 Qh5+). Consider tightening to one primary repertoire so the first 10 moves flow faster.
   Suggested path:
   • Anti-Nimzo: 3.Nf3 → 4.g3 systems – low theory, rich middlegames.
   • Anti-Sicilian: Stick with the Alapin (2.c3), which scored well in your win vs sterpfi.

Stats & practice tools

Blitz peak: 2513 (2024-02-13)    (keep an eye on how often you’re above or below this marker)

When are you scoring best? →

Next-week training plan (≈25 min/day)

• 5 min: Review two mini-games from your database focusing only on the first 15 moves.
• 10 min: Tactics set rated 2500–2700 on defensive motifs (double attack prevention, over-protect).
• 5 min: Play one 3 + 2 game applying the “30-second rule.”
• 5 min: Endgame flashcards – rook vs rook + pawn side defence.

Glossary quick-links

Critical pawn break   |   Prophylaxis   |   Conversion technique

Keep pushing, trust your instincts, and streamline your decision-making – that’s where the next rating jump will come from. Good luck in your upcoming sessions!