Erik Hedman IM

Hi Erik, here is your tailored feedback!

1. What you already do very well

• Opening depth – Both with the Colle (as White) and the Caro-Kann (as Black) you reach the middlegame with a healthy structure and usually a slight lead in development.
• Tactical eye – The clean 22.Rd6! in your recent win against mateusz1231 shows you spot intermediate moves that overload pieces or create double attacks.
• Piece activity in winning positions – In almost every victory you bring all pieces into the attack instead of “nursing” a material edge. 24.Bd5+! followed by 25.Bf4 sealed the deal quickly.

2. Recurring problems that cost you points

• Premature pawn storms in the Caro-Kann
  – In the loss to the same opponent you played the typical …h5, …a5, …b5 sequence. That left the b-pawn loose, the a-file weak and, more importantly, your kingside light squares undefended.
  – Guideline: “One pawn lever at a time.” After 9…h5 choose between kingside expansion or …b5/…a5 on the queenside, not both.
• Ignoring the opponent’s counterplay
  – 19…Nxd4? overlooked the simple 20.Qc3 hitting a3 and c6 simultaneously. Before launching tactics ask, “What is my opponent threatening next move?” 5-second blunder check saves rating points.
• Time management
  – Two of the five recent losses were on time despite holdable or winning endgames. You regularly drop under 15 s with 10-20 moves left.
  – Train “increment habits”: make a safe move every 2-3 s in low-time situations to accumulate buffer.

3. Quick fixes for immediate rating gain

1. Adopt a default safety move on the Caro-Kann flank
   Insert 13…g6 instead of …h5 when you feel the urge to kick a knight. It keeps the structure solid and unlocks the f8-bishop later.
2. End every calculation with a blunder check (scan for captures, checks and threats for BOTH sides). Forces you to notice resources like 20.Qc3! sooner.
3. 60-second endgame drill – daily puzzle rush but only rook-and-pawn endings. Familiarity breeds fast play when the clock is low.

4. Long–term study plan

5. Snapshot of your progress

Peak blitz rating: 2615 (2018-11-04)   |   Hourly form curve:

6. Key concepts to revisit

• zugzwang – appears often in your rook endings.
• tempo – understand why losing one with …Kh8 in attacking positions can kill the initiative.
• prophylaxis – thinking in your opponent’s shoes for one ply.

7. Positive challenge for the coming week

Play five blitz games where you never push the h-pawn before move 15 as Black. Review whether your king feels safer and if your attack actually needs that pawn push.

Keep the energy and enjoy the climb, Erik. You’re very close to breaking through the next rating plateau—cleaning up just these small strategic leaks will get you there!