Mariya Nosacheva WFM

Hi Mariya, here’s a tailored review of your recent blitz sessions

1. What you’re already doing well

• Sharp Opening Prep. You willingly steer the game into dynamic Benko- and Benko-like structures as Black and the Alapin or early c3 Sicilians as White. In many games you achieved the typical pawn-down-for-activity compensation you were aiming for.
• Practical Tactical Vision. Your wins against higher-rated players often arise from spotting resourceful counter-shots in messy positions (e.g. …Nb4-c2, exchange sacs on e3). Keep cultivating this strength with short daily tactic sprints.
• Psychology & Fighting Spirit. Even when worse you keep the game going, forcing opponents such as Aaron Jacobson to prove a win with seconds on the clock.

2. Main improvement themes

1. Time management. In five of your last seven losses you had <10 s when the critical mistake happened. Try the 30-second “handover rule”: whenever your clock hits 30 s, immediately simplify or switch to an increment-friendly plan instead of calculating new complications.
2. Conversion technique. Winning endgames sometimes slip (see loss vs. Gata Kamsky). Spend 15 min per week on rook-pawn vs. rook endings and the classic “bridge” theme to finish games smoothly.
3. Structure awareness in the Benko. The doubled-rook pressure on the e-file became uncomfortable against Ben Finegold. Review model Benko games where Black keeps central pawns mobile (…e6-e5) instead of letting them freeze. One quick guide is to remember the critical break squares: …e6-e5 and …f7-f5.
4. Improved Prophylaxis. More than once opponents played a decisive h4-h5 or a4-a5 before you reacted (loss vs. Fy_Rakotomaharo). Between moves ask, “what would I do if it were their move twice?”

3. Quick actionable drills for the next 10 days

4. Motivational snapshot

Your current personal best in blitz is 2579 (2024-12-03). With the small fixes above you can realistically add 30-40 Elo in the next month.

5. When and how you score best

Browse the embedded charts to decide when to schedule your serious sessions:

6. Mini reference corner

• Key Benko manoeuvre: piece battery  …Ra6-Rb6-fb8-Rb2
• Endgame reminder: in rook vs. rook + pawn, strive for the Vancura drawing set-up when defending – look up the typical Zwischenzug check that saves the day.

7. Keep an eye on this recent instructive fragment

Notice how early Black challenged the d5 pawn and kept the bishop pair alive – a model you can adapt.

Next step

Play three training games focusing solely on clock discipline and conversion; send me the PGNs afterwards and we’ll fine-tune further.

Good luck & enjoy the grind! – Coach