John Cohen NM

Quick summary for John Cohen

Nice job in your recent blitz run — you're opportunistic, well prepared in a few sharp opening systems, and you convert tactical chances quickly. Your play shows clear strengths in opening preparation and attacking motifs, but also recurring quick-mate patterns and occasional time/attention lapses. Below are specific notes, patterns from recent games, and a short, practical training plan to make your blitz more reliable.

What you're doing well

• Opening preparation — you score very highly with systems like the London System: Poisoned Pawn Variation and the Amazon/Scandinavian lines. You know the ideas and typical plans.
• Pattern recognition — you spot tactical shots (checks, captures, threats) quickly in blitz and convert them decisively (example: a decisive capture on f2 in your recent win).
• Practical play — you force opponents into uncomfortable positions and make them crack under pressure, leading to many resignations or quick mates.
• High experience volume — your game count and long-term results show consistent practice, which is the best base for improvement.

Recurring issues / what to fix

• King safety around f2/f7 — several games hinge on sacrifices or captures against the exposed king-square. When you attack, commit only after checking escape squares; when defending, don't leave back-rank and f-pawn weaknesses.
• Tactical oversight in the opening/middlegame — sometimes you or your opponents get mated or lose material quickly because a tactical motif (pin, fork, discovered attack) was missed. Slow down for one extra second before captures and checks.
• Time and attention management — blitz rewards fast pattern play but punishes a lapse. Your slope data shows stability, but blitz-specific errors (mouse slips, pre-move traps, over-ambitious complications) still cost games.
• Over-trusting prepared lines — being book-ready is great, but if the opponent plays an offbeat reply, be ready to switch to simple, safe positions instead of forcing complications that might backfire.

Concrete drills (daily / weekly)

• Daily 15 minutes tactics: focus on pins, forks, and mating nets (include puzzles with Bxf2/Bxh2 and Qh1/Qh7 patterns).
• 3× per week: 10-minute blitz sessions where you review every loss immediately — mark the single decisive mistake and the defensive resource missed.
• Twice a week: 30 minutes of rapid (10+5 or 15+10) to practice making the same decisions with more time — this converts good blitz instincts into stable judgment.
• Weekly opening checklist: keep 2–3 go-to lines (one aggressive, one solid). For each, have 3 typical middlegame plans and 2 common traps to avoid.

Actionable tips you can use immediately

• Before capturing a piece, scan for a back-rank mate and checks by the opponent. That one-second habit prevents a lot of tactical losses.
• If you see Ng5 (or an opponent’s knight aiming at f7/f2), check your king’s flight squares and possible pins before making an instinctive reply.
• When ahead in material, simplify: exchange down to an endgame in blitz rather than hunting extra complications that invite tactics.
• Use the clock proactively: if you’re under no tactical pressure, keep the clock moving with short, safe moves (avoid huge time drops early).

Notes from your most recent win (quick example)

In the game where you finished with a mate on f2, you exploited a classic weak-square motif quickly — excellent opportunism. That kind of finish is textbook blitz play: spot the weakness and act immediately. You can reinforce this by training patterns that target f2/f7 and back-rank mating nets so you see them even faster next time.

Replay the final sequence here to study it (view as Black orientation):

Also view your profile for quick reference: John Cohen

Short 4-week plan (simple and effective)

• Week 1 — Tactics focus: 15 min/day; 5 blitz games and immediate review of losses.
• Week 2 — Openings & safety: consolidate 2 opening lines; practice defending the f2/f7 area in training positions.
• Week 3 — Time control work: play 10 rapid games at 10+5; practice converting material advantage with calm play.
• Week 4 — Integration: mix blitz and rapid, select 5 instructive games to analyze deeply (use an engine after your own analysis).

Final encouragement

Your long-term data shows you’ve climbed and maintained a very strong standard — that foundation makes targeted blitz improvements fast and reliable. Tighten a few habits (one-second tactical checks, king-safety routine, and focused tactics practice) and you’ll convert more of those chances while reducing quick losses.

If you want, I can generate a 2-week tactics set tailored to your recent weak spots (pins, f2/f7 mates, discovered checks). Say "yes" and I’ll prepare it.